In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered a 4,400-year-old tomb at the Saqqara necropolis, belonging to Prince Userefre, the son of Pharaoh Userkaf. The tomb, dating back to the Fifth Dynasty (circa 2465–2323 B.C.), offers a rare glimpse into ancient Egyptian burial practices, most notably featuring a colossal “false” door made of pink granite—one of the largest ever found at this site. This stunning feature, towering at nearly 15 feet (4.5 meters) high and nearly 4 feet (1.2 meters) wide, holds profound significance in Egyptian culture, as the false door was believed to serve as an entry and exit point for the soul of the deceased on its journey to the afterlife.
The discovery of this majestic door is not just an architectural marvel but also a historical revelation. Until now, the name of Prince Userefre was unknown to scholars. Inscribed on the door are references to his impressive titles: “hereditary prince,” “judge,” “minister,” “governor” of two regions, and a “chanting priest.” The inscriptions paint a picture of a man of considerable influence, but his tomb suggests a life that may have been as mysterious as it is majestic. “Previous to this discovery, we didn’t even know he existed,” said Ronald Leprohon, a professor emeritus of Egyptology at the University of Toronto. The discovery provides a valuable clue to the era’s political and religious landscape, offering fresh insight into the role of royals and elites during Egypt’s Fifth Dynasty.
The size and craftsmanship of the false door—constructed from pink granite, a material typically reserved for royalty—speak to Userefre’s high status. “This is the first time that a false door of such magnitude has been found in Saqqara,” said Zahi Hawass, the renowned Egyptologist and former Minister of Antiquities, who is leading the excavation. This extraordinary find adds to Saqqara’s legacy as one of Egypt’s most prestigious burial sites, and its significance continues to unfold.
Adding to the tomb’s intrigue, a red granite offering table was found near the false door. In ancient Egypt, these tables were used for food offerings meant for the deceased, though, as noted by Leprohon, it was often the priests, not the dead, who consumed the offerings. But the surprises don’t end there. The tomb appears to have been repurposed during the 26th Dynasty (circa 688–525 B.C.), when a statue of King Djoser—a ruler from the Third Dynasty—was placed inside. The statue, depicting Djoser with his wife and children, is a remarkable find, as sculptures from this period are exceedingly rare. “There’s very little sculpture from this era, so this is an extraordinary piece,” said Ann Macy Roth, a clinical professor of Egyptology at New York University.
As excavations continue, the full extent of Prince Userefre’s tomb remains to be uncovered. The burial chamber itself has yet to be found, but the discovery already sheds light on the evolving power structures of ancient Egypt. “This adds to the growing evidence that Saqqara remained a prestigious burial site during the Fifth Dynasty, even as royal tombs began to shift to Abusir,” said Lara Weiss, CEO of the Roemer and Pelizaeus Museum in Germany. The tomb not only enriches our understanding of the era but also offers a unique glimpse into a transformative moment in ancient Egyptian history—a time when the centralized power of the Fourth Dynasty was giving way to a more diversified elite.
With each new discovery at Saqqara, the past continues to reveal its secrets, and the legacy of Egypt’s powerful rulers and their magnificent tombs lives on
