The excavations in the Saqqaraone of the necropolises that the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis had during the time of the pharaohs, continue to reveal unique surprises about the life of the Ancient Egypt. A Franco-Egyptian archaeological mission has brought to light a mastaba (tomb) made with adobe bricks and decorated with extraordinary paintings and hieroglyphic inscriptions that belonged to a doctor of the long-lived Pharaoh Pepi II, of the VI Dynasty, as announced by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Called Nobody’s tetiis an important character in his time who was granted the titles of “Great Physician of the Palace”, “Priest of the Goddess Selket” and “Magician of the Goddess Selket”, the deity responsible for healing poisonous stings and bites. This finding shows how medicine and magic were deeply connected in the universe of beliefs of Ancient Egypt.
In a press release, the Ministry has stated that this man would have been partly responsible for a healthcare system which included non-invasive surgeries, root canals, dentistry—”Great Doctor of Teeth”—and a wide range of pharmacological treatments with therapeutic herbs.
Interior of the tomb, which preserves exceptional paintings and engravings.
Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities
Although the tomb was probably looted in ancient times, archaeologists, led by Philippe Collombert, have been able to document many of its decorative elements intact. Inside the mastaba was preserved a series of intricate funerary scenesa painted false door and a stone sarcophagus engraved with the name of Teti Neb Fu and all the titles that he accumulated throughout his life.
The ceiling of the funerary chamber was painted red, as if it were made of granite stones, and had engravings depicting furniture and other types of funeral offerings. According to Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, this discovery provides valuable insight into the culture and practices of the time, especially with regard to the role of medicine and religion in the Old Kingdom.
These have not been the only advances announced in the Saqqara necropolis in recent days. Another Egyptian-Japanese mission has discovered more funerary structures and objects: three mastabas from the 2nd and 3rd dynasties and more than one dozens of burials from the 18th Dynasty.
“New evidence suggests that Saqqara was not only an important burial area during the Old Kingdom, but also during the New Kingdom, when Memphis was reinstated as the capital of Egypt after the expulsion of the Hyksos,” explained Ismail Khaled in another statement. Archaeological work has also documented that the necropolis extended further north than previously thought.