# 4,000-Year-Old Egyptian Tomb of Mehu Opens to Visitors for the First Time

> The ancient Egyptian tomb of Mehu has opened after 80 years of restoration. Here is what its wall paintings reveal and why you should be among the first to see them.

- URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/4000letniaia-ehypetskaia-hrobnytsa-mekhu-vperve-otkrta-dlia-publyky/
- Language: en
- Published: 2025-04-05
- Categories: Culture, Historic Sites, Museums, Tours, Egypt, Animal Rides

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An ancient Egyptian tomb, hidden from public view for more than 80 years, has opened near Giza, the site of the famous pyramids.

The 4,000-year-old Tomb of Mehu belonged to a high-ranking official. Archaeologists say its colorful wall decorations shed light on how Egyptians lived more than a thousand years before the pyramids were built.

It was first discovered back in 1940 by the Egyptologist Zaki Saad, but it stayed closed to the public until restoration work was recently completed.

The tomb is one of the most beautiful in the Saqqara necropolis, an ancient burial ground south of Cairo, says Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities.

This is the final resting place of Mehu, an official who lived during the reign of King Teti in the Sixth Dynasty. The chambers also hold Meri Re Ankh, Mehu's son, and his grandson Hetep Ka II.

The Tomb of Mehu stands out for its colorful walls, decorated with vivid paintings and inscriptions that tell the story of everyday life in ancient Egypt. According to the Ministry of Antiquities, the scenes include hunting, fishing, cooking, and dancing.

## A Large-Scale Restoration

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Ahead of the reopening, a major renovation was carried out to improve the visitor experience. The colors in the paintings were brightened, and a lighting system was installed inside the tomb.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Antiquities, the tomb consists of a long, narrow corridor with six chambers.

The tomb is one of many ancient monuments in the Saqqara cemetery. The area holds numerous other tombs and small pyramids that Egyptian authorities continue to uncover.

![](/storage/image/prev/september-article-image-25-2-2024.jpg)

Egypt's tourism industry is still recovering from the fallout of the political turmoil that began after the so-called Arab Spring of 2011.

In August 2018, the latest UN tourism report singled out Egypt as the fastest-growing travel destination of 2017, with international arrivals rising by 55.1% that year.