In the southern area of the Saqqara archaeological zone, known for housing the tombs of high officials from the Egyptian Old Kingdom, a joint Franco-Swiss archaeological team has made an exceptional discovery. The mission has unearthed a mastaba constructed with mud bricks, belonging to a physician named Teti Neb Fu. This individual lived during the reign of Pharaoh Pepi II, one of the rulers of the Sixth Dynasty, and held prestigious titles related to his prominent functions in the royal court.
The tomb stands out for the richness of its architectural and artistic details. Among its most notable elements is a false door decorated with inscriptions and carvings depicting scenes of daily life and lists of funerary offerings. According to Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, this discovery provides valuable insight into the culture and practices of the time, especially regarding the role of medicine and religion in the Old Kingdom.
The owner of the mastaba, Teti Neb Fu, held highly significant positions in the society of his time. Among his most notable titles were “Great Palace Physician”, “Priest of the Goddess Selket”, and “Magician of the Goddess Selket”. This last title indicates that he was a specialist in treating venomous snake bites and scorpion stings, reflecting the advanced medical knowledge of the period.
Additionally, Teti Neb Fu was known as “Great Physician of Teeth” and “Director of Medicinal Plants”, suggesting that he led research and practical applications in the fields of dentistry and the use of therapeutic herbs.
The mastaba, though possibly looted in ancient times, retains many of its decorative elements intact. According to Dr. Philippe Collombert, director of the archaeological mission, the walls are adorned with exceptional inscriptions and reliefs, including an intricate frieze featuring the titles and name of the owner.
One of the most striking features is the red-painted ceiling, designed to imitate granite blocks, a material frequently used in monumental constructions. At the center of the ceiling, the physician’s name and titles are also inscribed.
Another significant find within the mastaba is a stone sarcophagus, whose interior is decorated with hieroglyphs that provide further details about Teti Neb Fu and his achievements.
The excavation is part of a project initiated in 2022 by the Franco-Swiss team in an area south of the funerary structures of Pharaoh Pepi I, another prominent ruler of the Sixth Dynasty, and the tombs of his wives. In an earlier phase of this project, the team also discovered the mastaba of the famous vizier Uni, known for having one of the longest autobiographies recorded in hieroglyphic inscriptions. This autobiography, detailing his political and administrative achievements, is located in his secondary tomb in the Abydos region, Sohag.
The discovery of Teti Neb Fu’s tomb reinforces Saqqara’s importance as a key archaeological epicenter for understanding the life and culture of the Old Kingdom. This region, which hosts not only the Step Pyramid of Djoser but also a vast necropolis of officials, priests, and physicians, continues to reveal secrets that illuminate the sophisticated level of social, religious, and scientific development achieved over 4,000 years ago.
The archaeological team will continue its work in this area, aiming to uncover more structures and artifacts that will allow for a more detailed reconstruction of the history of high-ranking officials in the Old Kingdom. Dr. Khaled emphasized that such discoveries not only enrich historical knowledge but also contribute to promoting cultural tourism in Egypt, consolidating the global significance of its archaeological heritage.
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