A joint Spanish-Egyptian archaeological mission has uncovered a remarkably preserved tomb from Egypt's Fifth Dynasty in the Mariette Necropolis, north of Saqqara. The discovery was announced by Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities during the team's 2026 excavation season.
The tomb is a mastaba with two funerary chapels. One belongs to Yunmen, a senior official who served under Pharaoh Djedkare Isesi as a judge, court administrator, and chief scribe responsible for reviewing petitions and complaints. The second chapel honors his father, Iti, who worked in the administration of agricultural lands and offerings.
Yunmen's chapel preserves painted reliefs with traces of original color, showing agricultural scenes and processions of offering bearers. Iti's chapel includes a traditional false door and offering imagery, offering a glimpse into the visual language of elite burial spaces in the Old Kingdom.
The mission is led by the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, under the direction of Josep Cervelló Autuori. Officials say the tomb adds valuable context to funerary customs and administrative life during the late Fifth Dynasty. The site had been known since the 19th century, but it had never undergone a full scientific study, making this documentation especially significant. This discovery may help shape a deeper understanding of ancient Egyptian heritage and future archaeological research.
