Archaeologists Discover Tomb of Prince Waser-If-Re in Saqqara

An Egyptian archaeological team led by Dr. Zahi Hawass has uncovered the tomb of Prince Waser-If-Re, son of King Userkaf, founder of Egypt’s Fifth Dynasty, at the Saqqara necropolis near Cairo. The tomb features a monumental pink granite false door—the largest of its kind in Egypt—inscribed with the prince’s titles and hieroglyphic texts. Archaeologists also found a rare statue ensemble depicting King Djoser, his wife, and ten daughters, believed to have been relocated from near the Step Pyramid during the Late Period, as well as 13 pink granite statues, likely representing family members, and a red granite offering table. Additional artifacts include a black granite statue from the 26th Dynasty and a secondary granite entrance bearing the cartouche of King Neferirkare. The discovery highlights the evolving use of the site across different dynasties and offers new insights into Egypt’s royal and funerary practices. Officials and experts describe the find as a milestone in understanding Saqqara’s and ancient Egypt's complex history.