Statement from
Dr. Zahi Hawass about
The Discovery of the Tomb of Mes at Dahshur
The Archaeological expedition of Waseda
University under S. Yoshimura found a very important Tomb of a scribe dated back more than
300 years ago.
The Tomb is very important because this is the first time that New Kingdom Tombs (1550
B.C.) found at Dahshur. Our knowledge before, that the Members of the Egyptian government
in the New Kingdom who were responsible of the Delta buried at Saqqara and Abu-Sir.
The Discovery of this tomb also proved that science is very important in Archaeology
because the Arial photos led the Japanese expedition to see the mudbrickwalls on the
Surface.
The Tomb is unique because it is about 47m. length and it has the same style tomb of
Horemheb who built it before he became the King of Egypt.,
The Japanese team found inside the burial shaft huge large red granite Sarcophagus. The
opening of the Sarcophagus was very exciting because its base was decorated with scenes of
the deceased and his relation to the gods, such as Osiris and Anubis.
Also the artifacts found around the sarcophagus were very important, such as the Canopic
jars with human heads represent the four children of the god Hours.
Other artifacts found inside the tomb such as faience rings with the name of the famous
King Tutankhamen. The hieroglyphic inscription on Scarabs and other jar sealing revealed
the names of New Kingdom Kings such as Akhenaton, the first who believed in one god, the
famous King Ramses the great. And other individuals who were members of the Egyptian
government such Pahedw and Mes who were in charge of Royal stable at Memphis, and the
training of the young Princes in the desert of Memphis.
I believe that this is one of the most important discoveries at the end of year 1998.
Dr. Zahi Hawass
Under Secretary of the State and Director
Of Giza Pyramids and Saqqara
December 27, 1998