CAIRO, October 3, 2018 - A team of Czech archaeologists has made a remarkable discovery at Abusir, near Cairo, unearthing a unique burial complex of an Egyptian dignitary dating back to the Fifth Dynasty of the Egyptian Old Kingdom. The limestone tomb is located in the centre of a pyramid field where only members of the royal family and the highest state dignitaries of the time were buried. Czech archaeologists have conducted work in Egypt for nearly 60 years, making a number of significant discoveries in the area of Abusir, a vast necropolis from the Old Kingdom, located south of Cairo. Their most recent find, the uncovering a tomb of the royal confidant and priest Kaires, was announced by the Egyptian authorities recently. Miroslav Bárta, the head of the Czech archaeological mission in Egypt, has explained to Radio Praha what makes the discovery so unique: "In this case, there are actually multiple unique facts. The tomb is located in the centre of a regular pyramid field in Abusir dating back to around 2,400 B.C. Besides the cult chapel itself it contains several other rooms. "Another unique feature is that its chapel is the only royal tomb from this period using basalt blocks for paving, wall panelling and the altar. This is evidence of the exceptional status of the tomb owner." Among the items discovered in the burial chamber of priest Kaires are parts of the decoration of the chapel, depicting scenes from everyday life, as well as ceramic objects which were included in the burial equipment. The most important find is a granite statue depicting Kaires sitting on a small chair. According to Czech archaeologists, it proves that the Ancient Egyptians placed statues into their burial chambers, a question they had been trying to answer for years. Although the burial chamber of Kaires had been looted already in antiquity, the statue has been miraculously preserved in its original location. It bears remnants of colours as well as engravings of titles which indicate Kaires' exceptional career. Kaires was overseeing all the king's building projects and was described as his sole friend. He was responsible for the king's routine at the Morning House, where he would come in the morning to wash, get dressed and have breakfast.
