Discovery of five ancient tombs at Saqqara - in pictures

  • Egyptian archaeologists have announced the discovery of five decorated tombs, more than 4,000 years old, near Cairo. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
    Egyptian archaeologists have announced the discovery of five decorated tombs, more than 4,000 years old, near Cairo. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
  • The tombs are in the Saqqara necropolis, about 20 kilometres south-west of the capital. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
    The tombs are in the Saqqara necropolis, about 20 kilometres south-west of the capital. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
  • Mostafa Waziri, one of the country’s top Egyptologists and secretary general of its Supreme Council of Antiquities, conducted a televised tour. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
    Mostafa Waziri, one of the country’s top Egyptologists and secretary general of its Supreme Council of Antiquities, conducted a televised tour. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
  • Decorations inside one of the five tombs discovered near Cairo. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
    Decorations inside one of the five tombs discovered near Cairo. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
  • The walls are markedly well-preserved for their age, archaeologists say. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
    The walls are markedly well-preserved for their age, archaeologists say. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
  • Some of the walls show colourful depictions of the afterlife. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
    Some of the walls show colourful depictions of the afterlife. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
  • Wooden statues found inside the tomb of Pepi Nefhany who was the supervisor of the great house, at the Saqqara area, in Giza. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
    Wooden statues found inside the tomb of Pepi Nefhany who was the supervisor of the great house, at the Saqqara area, in Giza. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
  • Saqqara is one of the most important archaeological areas in Egypt. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
    Saqqara is one of the most important archaeological areas in Egypt. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
  • The unveiling ceremony was open to tourists, many of whom were in attendance during Mr Waziri's demonstration. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
    The unveiling ceremony was open to tourists, many of whom were in attendance during Mr Waziri's demonstration. Mahmoud Nasr / The National
  • An Egyptian archaeological worker is lowered inside tombs at Saqqara. EPA
    An Egyptian archaeological worker is lowered inside tombs at Saqqara. EPA
  • One of the tombs belong to a woman that could be the wife of a man named Yaret. EPA
    One of the tombs belong to a woman that could be the wife of a man named Yaret. EPA
  • Figurines stand inside the tomb of a man named Henu. EPA
    Figurines stand inside the tomb of a man named Henu. EPA
  • Reporters prepare to enter a recently discovered tomb near the famed Step Pyramid, in Saqqara. AP
    Reporters prepare to enter a recently discovered tomb near the famed Step Pyramid, in Saqqara. AP
  • More work and studies will be carried out to reveal the secrets of these tombs, authorities said. Reuters
    More work and studies will be carried out to reveal the secrets of these tombs, authorities said. Reuters