In late 2022, archaeologists working at the Saqqara necropolis—one of Egypt’s most expansive burial grounds—announced the discovery of what is now considered the oldest known non-royal mummy, dated to approximately 4,300 years ago, during the reign of Egypt’s Fifth and Sixth Dynasties (c. 2400–2300 BCE). The mummy was unearthed inside a limestone shaft tomb located near the pyramid of King Teti, in an area previously ᴀssociated with elite officials rather than royalty. Leading the excavation was the renowned Egyptian archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawᴀss, alongside the Supreme Council of Antiquities, whose team has been systematically exploring the ancient cemetery for decades. The moment the slab was lifted—revealing the intact, linen-wrapped body—became an instant milestone in the archaeology of ancient Egypt.
The mummy was enclosed within a rectangular limestone sarcophagus, its interior carved smoothly to cradle the body of the deceased. The individual—believed to be a high-ranking official named Hekashepes based on inscriptions found nearby—was wrapped in layers of fine linen coated with resin, a substance commonly used in early embalming to inhibit decay. Unlike royal mummies, whose wrappings often included gold leaf and elaborate amulets, this early non-royal body demonstrates a more restrained but technically sophisticated method. The resin-blackened linens, along with remnants of wooden funerary objects, offer insight into the materials and mortuary practices developing in the late Old Kingdom. Remarkably, the dry microclimate within the sealed sarcophagus created an oxygen-poor environment, preserving the body for over four millennia.
The tomb, cut deep into the bedrock, reflects the architectural style of elite burials during the Old Kingdom. The shaft descended almost 15 meters before opening into a small burial chamber crafted with precision-cut limestone blocks. Decorative carvings—though far simpler than royal styles—depict offerings, daily life scenes, and the names and тιтles of the deceased. These inscriptions suggest that Hekashepes held administrative authority, likely overseeing regional logistics or palace-related affairs. His burial within such a well-constructed shaft illustrates an important trend in Egyptian society: the expansion of wealth and mortuary privilege beyond the royal family into the ranks of influential officials. The craftsmanship of the tomb walls indicates a trained workforce skilled in chiseling, leveling, and fitting stone with remarkable accuracy.
The discovery of this ancient mummy offers a rare glimpse into the evolution of Egyptian funerary ideology. During the Old Kingdom, the afterlife was considered primarily a royal privilege, yet the burial of Hekashepes—complete with careful mummification and a stone sarcophagus—illustrates that high officials began adopting royal mortuary practices. This democratization of the afterlife suggests a growing bureaucracy and an increasingly complex social hierarchy. Items found near the mummy, including pottery vessels and small ritual objects, indicate provisions for eternal sustenance and protection. The simplicity of the burial does not diminish its symbolic value; rather, it underscores a transitional period when non-royal individuals sought spiritual legitimacy by mirroring royal customs.
The excavation at Saqqara, led by Dr. Zahi Hawᴀss and the Supreme Council of Antiquities, continues to reshape our understanding of Egypt’s Old Kingdom and its mortuary landscape. The mummy of Hekashepes—uniquely preserved and contextually rich—provides scholars with an unprecedented dataset for studying early embalming techniques, administrative roles, and social mobility. Upcoming analyses, including CT scanning, textile studies, and resin composition tests, are expected to refine our knowledge of materials and technology available in the 3rd millennium BCE. As Saqqara has proven time and again, each new discovery expands the narrative of ancient Egypt beyond pharaohs, revealing the everyday individuals whose lives and deaths also shaped the civilization.
