4,400-year-old tomb, likely of high-ranking female official, discovered in Egypt

The tomb likely belongs to a high-ranking official known as Hetpet during the 5th Dynasty of ancient Egypt.

Archaeologists in Egypt say they have discovered a 4,400-year-old tomb near the pyramids outside Cairo.

The discovery of an Old Kingdom tomb from Egypt’s antiquities authorities is seen at the Giza plateau, the site of the three ancient pyramids on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt on February 3. (REUTERS)

Egypt’s Antiquities ministry announced the discovery Saturday and said the tomb likely belonged to a high-ranking female official known as Hetpet during the 5th Dynasty of ancient Egypt. The tomb includes wall paintings depicting Hetpet observing different hunting and fishing scenes.

A guide from the ministry of Antiquities inspects a discovery from Egypt’s antiquities authorities at the Giza plateau. (REUTERS)

Mostafa Al-Waziri, leader of the archaeological mission, says the scenes depict a monkey — at the time commonly kept as domestic animals — reaping fruit and another dancing before an orchestra.

He believes Hetpet, who is thought to be close to ancient Egyptian royals, had another tomb in Giza’s western necropolis, which is home to the tombs of top officials of Egypt’s Old Kingdom.

Al-Waziri says excavation work is underway for the other tomb.