A mission led by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has unveiled an intact tomb belonging to a 22nd-Dynasty official designated as the 'Master of the Royal Orchards'. Located in the ancient city of Bubastis, the funerary chamber is decorated with remarkably preserved painted reliefs depicting the cultivation of rare trees and the care of exotic animals brought from the Land of Punt. The discovery highlights the importance of horticultural management in the pharaonic court during the Third Intermediate Period.
Inside the tomb, researchers found several original wooden gardening tools and clay jars containing carbonized seeds of pomegranates and figs. The wall inscriptions list the specific irrigation schedules and fertilizers used to maintain the palace gardens, providing a rare glimpse into ancient Egyptian botanical science. This find is expected to shed light on the economic role of temple and palace estates during this era of political transition.