A virtual tour of the recently discovered Old Kingdom tomb of Wahty in the Saqqara necropolis

Created by Ahmed Attia and NAV3D

The Old Kingdom tomb of Wahty was discovered in the Saqqara necropolis, west of modern Cairo, in November 2018 by a team led by Dr Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities. 

The apparently intact, richly decorated rock-cut tomb chapel was built to be the resting place of Wahty, an official during the reign of Neferirkare Kakai of the 5^th Dynasty. He held the titles of royal purification priest, royal supervisor, and inspector of the sacred boat. 

The tomb’s rectangular gallery – measuring 10 meters wide north to south and 3 meters east to west – is decorated with painted reliefs that depict the deceased with his mother, Merit Meen, his wife Weret Ptah, and other relatives, as well aseveryday scenes that include hunting, sailing, making offerings, production of food, and manufacturing goods such as pottery and funerary furniture. 18 niches contain large statues of Wahty and his family, while 26 smaller ones near the floor hold statues of a person either standing or seated with legs crossed.

Five shafts were also found in the tomb: one was open and empty, but the others were still sealed upon discovery. Their excavation is ongoing. 

The 3D tour is presented through Matterport by NAV3D, in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. For more information on the tomb’s discovery visit here.

3D tour of the tomb of Wahty (Matterport model created by NAV3D)