The Archaeologist

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Rare archaeological find: Complete "Bible of the Dead" found in the desert of Sakkara

Recently, archaeologists announced the discovery of 4 untouched and sealed tombs and a mummy over 4,000 years old in the necropolis of Saqqara near Cairo.

Saqqara, the necropolis of Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, is known for the famous pyramid of Pharaoh Djoser and also includes the famous pyramids of Giza.

Among the priceless archaeological finds was a 16-meter-long intact papyrus containing excerpts from the ancient Egyptians' "Bible of the Dead."

The papyrus, which is more than 2,000years old, was found in a sarcophagus in a tomb south of the Pyramid of Djoser and is considered a complete "Bible".

It is the first complete papyrus to be discovered in 100 years and is already being translated into Arabic by scholars.

Scientists consider the discovery important because the hieroglyphs should give them even more insight into the burial customs of ancient Egyptian culture.

The necropolis of Saqqara, a little more than 15 kilometers south of the famous pyramids of Giza, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is the Pyramid of Djoser, built around 2,700 BC by the architect Imhotep and considered one of the oldest monuments in the world.