Tombs discovered in Egypt

(23 December 2008)

Two tombs have been discovered that could date back 4,300 years by Egyptian archaeologists.

The finding indicates that the existing known burial site south of Cairo could be bigger than originally expected.

It is believed that the tombs found at the Saqqara necropolis belong to two officials from the court of the Pharoah Unas.

Egypt's top archaelogist, Zahi Hawass, has said that the tombs are a “major” find and “are the beginning of a large cemetery”.

New discoveries happen all the time – around 70% of Egypt's ancient monuments remain buried.