- Title: EGYPT: Ancient tomb of Egyptian priest discovered near pyramids
- Date: 19th October 2010
- Summary: INTERIOR OF THE TOMB PAINTING OF RUDJ-KA FISHING IN THE MARSHES WIDE OF PAINTED SCENES OF RUDJ-KA FISHING IN THE MARSHES VARIOUS CLOSE UPS OF SCENES OF RUDJ-KA FISHING IN THE MARSHES PAINTINGS ON UPPER PART OF THE WALL OF THE TOMB PAN ACROSS PAINTINGS EXTERIOR OF TOMB ENTRANCE
- Embargoed: 3rd November 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Egypt
- Country: Egypt
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,History
- Reuters ID: LVAEPN0U8KAEAZ4PSSM56AM4XF5M
- Story Text: The tomb of an ancient Egyptian priest vividly decorated with wall paintings and hieroglyphs was unveiled by an Egyptian archaeological team on Tuesday (October 19) near the site of the Giza pyramids.
Egypt's head of antiquities, Dr. Zahi Hawass, said that the tomb was discovered by an Egyptian team doing routine excavations in the area, which is near the site of a necropolis for the builders of the Pyramids.
Archaeologists say that the fifth dynasty tomb of the priest, Rudj Ka, which dates back nearly 4,300 years is unique because of the limestone casing built around the tomb, which is carved into the cliff face on the Giza plateau.
Inside of the tomb are colourful paintings of Rudj and his wife in front of an offering table filled with animals and bread, as well scenes of the priest boating and fishing.
Egypt's head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Zahi Hawass said that Rudj Ka was a significant figure in the Pharaoh's court.
"We made a major discovery south of the great Pyramid of Khufu, that dated about 4,500 years ago. This discovery was found next door to the tombs of the pyramid builders. But this tomb do not belong to the pyramid builders. It's a very large tomb; it could be a family tomb of someone whose name is Rudj-ka. What really important about this man, he was the inspector of the priests; he was the inspector of the priests of Khafre, and also the priest of the pyramid of Khafre," he explained.
Dr. Hawass said that the tomb has previously been looted but that the still-vivid wall paintings gave archaeologists a unique look at daily life in the old kingdom.
"The tomb is very large, is not really connected with the style of the tombs of the workmen at all. It's built inside of mud brick and cased with gypsum and cased with beautiful seeds. For the first time this daily life seems to appear in the tombs of dynasty 5 and dynasty 6," he said.
Among the most impressive wall paintings in Rudj-Ka's tomb are images of a fisherman spearing fish in a marsh.
The wall paintings also depict hunting dogs as well as delicate hieroglyphic inscriptions.
Dr. Hawass told reporters that Rudj-Ka likely supervised offerings to the Pharaoh Khafre and that he supervised his mortuary cult.
Although Khafre died before Rudj Ka was born, his pyramid complex and mortuary cult remained active after Khafre's death, as was customary in the Old Kingdom. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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