- Egypt has discovered 4,300-year-old pyramid near ancient city of Memphis about 20 kilometres south of Cairo, Egypt's culture minister said today.
Faruq Hosni made an announcement in Saqqara, an ancient burial ground which dates back to 2,700 BC and is dominated by massive bulk of King Zoser's step pyramid.
The pyramid, which is believed to have belonged to Queen Sesheshet, was discovered in the sprawling rulers' burial.
Mr Husni said pyramid, five metres tall, is believed to have been 15 metres tall when it was first built for Queen Sesheshet, mother of King Teti who founded 6th Dynasty of Egypt's Old Kingdom.
"The pyramid's base was discovered 20 metres below the sands and a doorway for the burial place was also discovered," Hosni said, adding that it seems thieves had looted the pyramid.
Egypt's chief of antiquities, Zahiu Hawass said Archeologists began excavating the site where pyramid was found about two years ago, but only uncovered pyramid about two months ago.
"The discovery will help archeologists develop a greater understanding of Egypt's Sixth Dynasty the last of the Old Kingdom which ruled from 2323 to 2291 BC. It was a time of conflict in Egypt's royal family that eventually led the country into an era of famine and social upheaval," he said.
The site was found near pyramids that belong to two of Teti's wives in Saqqara area, the main burial site for ancient royals before pyramids of Giza.
Mr Hawass said archeologists intend to enter the pyramid within two weeks to confirm it belongs to Queen Sesheshet.
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