Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered a 4,400-year-old tomb belonging to a prince — and at its heart lies a towering “false” pink granite door, believed to allow the spirit of the deceased to pass in and out of the tomb.
The tomb is attributed to Prince Userefre, son of Pharaoh Userkaf, who ruled Egypt from approximately 2465 to 2458 BCE during the Fifth Dynasty.
A Door for the Afterlife
This recently discovered false door, as revealed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, bears inscriptions identifying the prince as a “crown prince,” as well as a “judge,” “minister,” “governor of two regions,” and a “chanting priest.” Despite his many titles, the prince and his tomb were previously unknown to scholars.
“Before this discovery, we didn’t even know he existed,” said Ronald Leprohon, professor emeritus of Egyptology at the University of Toronto, who was not involved in the excavation.
Standing at about 4.5 meters tall and 1.2 meters wide, the door is carved from pink granite — a material both rare and prestigious. In ancient Egypt, false doors were a common feature in tombs. According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, they were believed to function as spiritual gateways, allowing the soul of the deceased to travel between the world of the living and the afterlife.
Fit for Royalty
Experts say the size and material of the door reflect the prince’s elevated status. Pink and red granite had to be quarried and transported from Aswan — roughly 644 kilometers to the south — and were typically reserved for royalty and the elite.
Nearby, archaeologists also found an offering table made of red granite. Leprohon explained that in ancient Egyptian burial practices, food offerings were often placed on these tables so that the deceased could “magically” consume them. In reality, the food was usually eaten by the tomb priests or the deceased's family during rituals of remembrance.
A Tomb with Layers of History
Interestingly, the tomb appears to have been reused centuries later, during Egypt’s 26th Dynasty (around 688 to 525 BCE). At that time, a statue depicting King Djoser — along with his wife and children — was placed inside the tomb. Djoser, who ruled during the Third Dynasty (circa 2649–2575 BCE), is best known for building Egypt’s first pyramid: the famous Step Pyramid at Saqqara.
Analysis of the statue suggests it may have originally stood in or near that very pyramid complex. Why it was later moved to the tomb of Prince Userefre remains a mystery.
The Search Continues
So far, archaeologists have yet to locate the actual burial chamber of Prince Userefre. Excavations at the site are ongoing, with hopes of uncovering more about the life — and afterlife — of this long-lost royal.
