Researchers believe they have unearthed the tomb of a previously unknown Egyptian queen who may have been the wife of Pharaoh Neferefre.
The queen is believed to have reigned 4,500 years ago, the BBC reported. Egypt antiquities minister Mamdouh el-Damaty said the name Khentakawess was found inscribed on the wall of the tomb, which is located in Pharaoh Neferefre's funeral complex. The region is located in Abu Sir, an Old Kingdom necropolis southwest of Cairo that holds several pyramids dedicated to pharaohs of the Fifth Dynasty. Because the newly excavated tomb was located in Neferefre's funeral complex, it suggests the recently identified individual was most likely his wife.
"[For the] first time we have discovered the name of this queen who had been unknown before the discovery of her tomb," al-Damaty said, the Guardian reported.
The findings mean the tomb belonged to Khentakawess III, because two already known queens before her shared the same name.
"This discovery will help us shed light on certain unknown aspects of the Fifth Dynasty, which along with the Fourth Dynasty, witnessed the construction of the first pyramids," said Damaty.
In addition to the fascinating identification, the researchers discovered artifacts such as 30 utensils, 24 of which were made of limestone and four of copper.
Some estimates have suggested the pharaoh had a reign that lasted for 20 years in Manetho's Epitome, but this number also may be a significant exaggeration. The dispute is based on the unfinished state of the pharaoh's pyramids, Ancient Origins reported. The construction of these pyramids may have been interrupted by the pharoah's untimely death.
