THE OLDEST MUMMY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 99, 29 March 1937, Page 12

THE OLDEST MUMMY.

FIND NEAR STEP PYRAMID. A UNIQUE VASE. A young British archaeologist, Mr Walter Emery, has discovered the only body of a noble of the First Dynasty of Egypt vet found, reports the Cairo correspondent of tlie London Morning Post. He found it at Sakkara, almost within sight of the step pyramid of Zoser. The body is that of Sabu, Governor of the Province, under King Azab, the fifth ruler of the First Dynasty. With the body in the tomb was a unique schist vase shaped like the steering wheel of a motor-car, and of about the same size. • It had a hole in the centre and four petals probably for holding lotus blossoms on a pole.' The value of tlie vase can only be compared with the famous Portland vase. Its craftsmanship and quaint design is the finest known example of the work of the old Kingdom of Egypt. It is sculptured from a solid block of slate. The vase was shattered when found. Mr Emery’s assistants spent a whole week sifting the sand for fragments and piecing together the priceless find, which was sent to Cairo museum from Sakkara. TOMB PLUNDERED. The decapitated body of Sabu was lying in a contracted position at the bottom of the burial pit in tlie centre of a plundered tomb on the edge o! the desert. The ancient robbers tore oft the head in order to steal the necklaces which iiad been buried with the dead Governor. The tomb itself dates back to approximately 3200 B.C. A unique collection of stone vessels and fragments of inlaid ivory boxes bearing the actual date of the reign of . King Azab were found round the body. . . . , . i Six boxes containing wine, food, and vessels sealed with the seals of Sabu and King Azab were grouped round the body. The remains of whole sides of beef placed in the tomb for the sustenance of Sabu's soul were also found. Mr Emery has also discovered the tomb of another noble of the First Dynasty.