Archaeologists working at the ancient site of Sais in the Nile Delta have announced the discovery of an unlooted tomb belonging to a high-ranking official named Harkhebi, who served as the 'Master of the Royal Archives' during the 26th Dynasty. The burial chamber, located nearly 12 meters underground, contains a pristine limestone sarcophagus surrounded by a collection of over 400 ushabti figures and several well-preserved wooden chests.
The most significant find within the tomb is a bundle of papyrus scrolls that appear to be diplomatic correspondence between the Egyptian court and the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Preliminary analysis suggests these documents detail secret negotiations regarding military alliances and trade routes, providing a rare glimpse into the complex geopolitics of the 6th century BCE. This discovery is expected to rewrite the history of Egypt's final era of native rule before the Persian conquest.