During the 1910 to 1912 seasons, Quibell’s team excavated the high ground above Abusir, an area filled with early mud brick mastabas. Most had been robbed in the Old Kingdom and preserved little decoration. One tomb proved exceptional. It was identified as the tomb of Hesy Ra, a high official of the early Third Dynasty who held several important titles, including Chief of Dentists and Physicians and Overseer of the Royal Scribes.
The location of the tomb had not been recorded in earlier publications, but it was remembered by Osman Duqmaq, a veteran Egyptian workman who had participated in Mariette’s excavations. Guided by his recollection, Quibel located a brick mound that matched the description. Clearing revealed a long corridor with niches that had once held the famous wooden panels discovered by Mariette. The niches were plastered and painted with geometric designs in muted colours.
The opposite wall preserved a unique set of paintings that resembled framed images on a matting background. These scenes contained no human or animal figures and had not been documented before. Their fragile condition required careful protection while drawings and colour copies were made.
During the winter, the shaft and burial chambers were cleared. Despite the tomb being deep and repeatedly robbed. fragments of stone vessels were recovered, along with a bone dagger handle inscribed with Hesy-Ra’s name. Two fragments of a clay seal impression were found in the final baskets of debris. These preserved the name of King Netjerikhet (Djoser) of the Third Dynasty.
References
Quibell, J. E. Excavations at Saqqara (1911–12): The Tomb of Hesy. Service des Antiquités de l’Égypte. Cairo: Imprimerie de l’Institut Français d’Archéologie Orientale, 1913.