Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the discovery of a new archaeological site, known as Compound 205, on October 6th, 2021. The site is located in the Saqqara necropolis near the great ancient city of Memphis, about 30 kilometers south of modern-day Cairo.

According to the ministry, the compound was a cemetery for some of the high-ranking officials and priests who served the pharaohs during the 26th dynasty (circa 664-525 BC) of the Late Period of ancient Egypt. It consists of 22 tombs, most of which are in good condition and contain well-preserved artifacts such as mummies, wooden coffins, ushabti figurines, amulets, and other funerary objects.

One of the tombs belonged to a man named Djehuty Imhotep, who held the titles of chief justice and overseer of granaries under the pharaoh Psamtik II (circa 595-589 BC). His tomb is decorated with colorful scenes depicting him and his family members in various activities, such as hunting, fishing, and playing games. Another tomb belonged to a woman with the name Tadihor, who was a singer in the temple of the goddess Nut. Her tomb is adorned with musical scenes and inscriptions that praise her musical talents.

The discovery of Compound 205 is significant because it sheds light on the social and cultural dynamics of the Late Period of ancient Egypt, a period of great turbulence and change. It also highlights the role of Saqqara as a hub of religious, administrative, and artistic activities during that time.

The excavation of the site was carried out by the Egyptian-German Archaeological Mission, which is a joint venture between the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the University of Leipzig. The mission has been conducting archaeological research in Saqqara for more than a decade, and has already unearthed several important tombs and artifacts from different periods of ancient Egyptian history.

The discovery of Compound 205 is likely to attract many tourists and scholars to Saqqara, which is already a major tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The site is known for its iconic Step Pyramid of Djoser, which was built in the 27th century BC and is considered to be the oldest stone structure in the world. Saqqara also boasts other impressive monuments such as the Serapeum, the Mastaba of Ti, and the Pyramid of Unas.