Tomb of Prince Useref Ra Discovered in Saqqara, Featuring the Largest False Door in Pink Granite Found to Date

A joint Egyptian archaeological mission between the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Dr. Zahi Hawass Foundation for Heritage has revealed an exceptional discovery in the Saqqara necropolis: the tomb of Prince Useref Ra, son of Pharaoh Userkaf, the first monarch of the Fifth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom (around 2500 BCE).

The find includes an imposing false door made of pink granite, statues of Pharaoh Djoser and his family, and ritual offerings.

The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities celebrated the discovery, highlighting that it was carried out entirely by an Egyptian team, which reinforces the local role in Egyptology. This finding brings us closer to better understanding the rituals and social structure of the Fifth Dynasty, he stated.

saqqara tomb granite pink false door — The large pink granite false door. Credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt

One of the most surprising elements is the false door made of pink granite—the largest ever found—measuring 4.5 meters in height and 1.15 meters in width. Inscribed with hieroglyphs, it details the prince’s titles: Crown Prince, Governor of the Districts of Buto and Nejeb, Royal Scribe, Judge, and Lector Priest.

Inside the tomb, the mission found a statue of King Djoser (of the Third Dynasty, builder of the step pyramid) along with his wife and ten daughters.

Dr. Zahi Hawass, head of the excavation, explained that these objects were originally in a chamber adjacent to Djoser’s pyramid and were relocated centuries later to the tomb of Useref Ra. We do not know why they were moved, but we will continue investigating, he noted.

Among other findings are: a red granite offering table (92.5 cm in diameter) with inscriptions detailing rituals; a black granite statue (1.17 m) of a man with hieroglyphic titles, probably from the Twenty-Sixth Dynasty (664–525 BCE), indicating that the tomb was reused centuries later; and a second entrance to the tomb, flanked by pink granite blocks bearing the prince’s name and the cartouche of Pharaoh Neferirkare.

To the north of the threshold, a group of 13 pink granite statues was found seated on a high bench, an unprecedented discovery in Saqqara. Among them are figures of the prince’s wives—some headless—and a black statue 1.35 meters tall placed face down.

The mission will continue exploring the tomb, whose structure and contents make it a unique example in the area. Each object tells us about the life, death, and beliefs of those who ruled Egypt 4,500 years ago, concluded Hawass.