Reporters prepare to enter a recently discovered tomb near the famed Step Pyramid, in Saqqara, south of Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, March 19, 2022. Egypt on Saturday displayed a recently discovered, finely-decorated ancient tombs at an infamous Pharaonic necropolis just outside the capital of Cairo. The five tombs, unearthed earlier this month, date back to the Old Kingdom (1570 B.C. and 1069 B.C.) and the First Intermediate Period, an era spanned for around 125 years after the collapse of the old kingdom, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Credit: AP Photo/Sayed Hassan
There are recently discovered, well-decorated ancient tombs at a Pharaonic necropolis just outside the capital Cairo.
The five tombs were unearthed earlier this month and date back to the Old Kingdom, as well as to the First Intermediate Period, which lasted for over a century after the Old Kingdom collapsed, according to the Ministry.
Mostafa Waziri said that Egyptian archeologists started excavating the site in September. He said the tombs were for senior officials in ancient Egypt.
All of the tombs are decorated well. Excavations continued. We are going to continue our work. He told reporters at the site that they believe they can find more tombs.
The Saqqara Necropolis is southwest of Cairo and contains tombs near the Step Pyramid of Djoser.
The ministry shared footage on its social media pages. Walls were decorated with images of sacred animals and after-life items.
Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, displays a small statue at a tomb decorated with hieroglyphic inscriptions at a recently discovered tomb near the famed Step Pyramid, in Saqqara, south of Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, March 19, 2022. Egypt on Saturday displayed recently discovered, finely-decorated ancient tombs at an infamous Pharaonic necropolis just outside the capital of Cairo. The five tombs, unearthed earlier this month, date back to the Old Kingdom (1570 B.C. and 1069 B.C.) and the First Intermediate Period, an era spanned for around 125 years after the collapse of the old kingdom, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Credit: AP Photo/Sayed Hassan
Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, views hieroglyphics inside a recently discovered tomb near the famed Step Pyramid, in Saqqara, south of Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, March 19, 2022. Egypt on Saturday displayed a recently discovered, finely-decorated ancient tombs at an infamous Pharaonic necropolis just outside the capital of Cairo. The five tombs, unearthed earlier this month, date back to the Old Kingdom (1570 B.C. and 1069 B.C.) and the First Intermediate Period, an era spanned for around 125 years after the collapse of the old kingdom, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Credit: AP Photo/Sayed Hassan
Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, displays a statue found in a recently discovered tomb near the famed Step Pyramid, in Saqqara, south of Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, March 19, 2022. Egypt on Saturday displayed recently discovered tombs at an infamous Pharaonic necropolis just outside the capital of Cairo. The five tombs, unearthed earlier this month, date back to the Old Kingdom (1570 B.C. and 1069 B.C.) and the First Intermediate Period, an era spanned for around 125 years after the collapse of the old kingdom, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Credit: AP Photo/Sayed Hassan
Walls decorated with hieroglyphic inscriptions and images of sacred animals are seen at a recently discovered tomb near the famed Step Pyramid, in Saqqara, south of Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, March 19, 2022. Egypt on Saturday displayed one of five recently discovered, finely-decorated ancient tombs at an infamous Pharaonic necropolis just outside the capital of Cairo. The five tombs, unearthed earlier this month, date back to the Old Kingdom (1570 B.C. and 1069 B.C.) and the First Intermediate Period, an era spanned for around 125 years after the collapse of the old kingdom, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Credit: AP Photo/Sayed Hassan
Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, displays a small statue at a tomb decorated with hieroglyphic inscriptions at a recently discovered tomb near the famed Step Pyramid, in Saqqara, south of Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, March 19, 2022. Egypt on Saturday displayed recently discovered, finely-decorated ancient tombs at an infamous Pharaonic necropolis just outside the capital of Cairo. The five tombs, unearthed earlier this month, date back to the Old Kingdom (1570 B.C. and 1069 B.C.) and the First Intermediate Period, an era spanned for around 125 years after the collapse of the old kingdom, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Credit: AP Photo/Sayed Hassan
Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, views hieroglyphics inside a recently discovered tomb near the famed Step Pyramid, in Saqqara, south of Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, March 19, 2022. Egypt on Saturday displayed a recently discovered, finely-decorated ancient tombs at an infamous Pharaonic necropolis just outside the capital of Cairo. The five tombs, unearthed earlier this month, date back to the Old Kingdom (1570 B.C. and 1069 B.C.) and the First Intermediate Period, an era spanned for around 125 years after the collapse of the old kingdom, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Credit: AP Photo/Sayed Hassan
The Saqqara site is part of a large necropolis that includes the famed Giza Pyramids as well as smaller pyramids at Abu Sir, Dahshur and Abu Ruwaysh. In the 70s, the ruins of Memphis were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
In recent years, Egypt has promoted new archaeological finds to international media and diplomats in the hope of attracting more tourists to the country.
The tourism sector, a major source of foreign currency for Egypt, suffered from years of political turmoil and violence after the uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak.
The sector was hit by the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but has recently started to recover. Russia is a major source of tourists to the Middle Eastern nation.
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