Start of archaeological fieldwork in Saqqara

The international research team came together in Saqqara to work on this Egyptian site until 24 March 2023. For nearly 50 years, the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden has been conducting excavations in Saqqara, the cemetery of the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis. As of 2015, the museum collaborates in this project with the Museo Egizio in Turin. After two and a half years of delay due to the Corona pandemic, the Leiden-Turin excavations finally resumed in the autumn of 2022. That season, the team excavated the monumental tomb of Panehsy. He was a dignitary in the reign of Ramesses II (c. 1279–1259 BC). The investigation continues this year in and around the tomb to find out more about Panehsy and the area where his tomb was built. In addition, previously excavated objects will be studied, such as fragments of wooden statuettes and coffins.

You can read about this work and much more in the Saqqara Diaries, which will appear weekly from Tuesday 28 February onwards!