Mideast in Pictures: Egypt discovers oldest, most complete unroyal mummy

Culture&Travel,In Pictures

  
People work at an archaeological excavation site of ancient tombs in Saqqara necropolis, south of Cairo, Egypt, on Jan. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
CAIRO, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- A discovery of "important tombs hosting a 4,300-year-old mummy" in Saqqara necropolis, south of Cairo, was announced on Thursday by Egypt's renowned archeologist Zahi Hawass. 
"The mummy is the oldest and most complete unroyal mummy found in Egypt to date," said Hawass.
The Step Pyramid, one of the notable necropolis sites, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was designed and built by the architect Imhotep in the 27th century BC during the Third Dynasty to hold the mummy of Pharaoh Djoser.
People look at cultural relics unearthed from newly-discovered ancient tombs in Saqqara necropolis, south of Cairo, Egypt, on Jan. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Photo taken on Jan. 26, 2023 shows a restored pottery at the archaeological excavation site of ancient tombs in Saqqara necropolis, south of Cairo, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Photo taken on Jan. 26, 2023 shows colored paintings on a wall inside a newly-discovered ancient tomb in Saqqara necropolis, south of Cairo, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Photo taken on Jan. 26, 2023 shows a bird-like statue unearthed from a newly-discovered ancient tomb in Saqqara necropolis, south of Cairo, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Photo taken on Jan. 26, 2023 shows a carved stone unearthed from newly-discovered ancient tomb in Saqqara necropolis, south of Cairo, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
An archaeologist explains the words on a stone inside a newly-discovered ancient tomb in Saqqara necropolis, south of Cairo, Egypt, on Jan. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Tourists visit the Step Pyramid complex in the Saqqara necropolis, south of capital Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) ■