(CNN) — The deserts of Egypt continue to reveal the secrets of a fascinating ancient civilization best known for its towering pyramids.
And now the country's Ministry of Antiquities has unveiled a well-preserved tomb with inscriptions and colorful reliefs dating from more than 4,000 years ago.
The tomb is thought to belong to an official named Khuwy, who was believed to have been a nobleman during the Fifth Dynasty, a period spanning the 25th to the 24th century BCE.
Minister of Antiquities Khaled al-Enani took a party of foreign ambassadors and other officials to inspect the tomb, the ministry said in a tweet.
The tomb stands out for its distinctive design, which raises questions about Khawy's relationship with pharaoh Djedkare Isesi.
MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP/Getty Images
The tomb is part of a massive necropolis at Saqqara, south of Cairo, and stands out for its distinctive design, according to an official video.
Mohamed Mujahid, head of the excavation team, says the tomb is L-shaped, with a small corridor leading down to an antechamber. Beyond, a larger chamber has walls covered by painted reliefs that show Khuwy sitting at a table for offerings.
Several paintings remain brightly colored despite the passage of time, in shades associated with royalty, and boasts a tunnel entrance that is usually only found in pyramids.
These features have made archaeologists question the relationship between Khuwy, an official, and Djedkare Isesi, the pharaoh of the time, whose pyramid sits nearby.
The paintings use colors usually associated with royalty.
MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP/Getty Images
One theory is that Khuwy and Djedkare Isesi could have been related, while others say the tomb's unique design is the result of the pharaoh's reforms of state administration and funerary cults.
Archaeologists also found Khuwy's mummy and canRead More – Source
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