During routine excavations at the dog catacomb in Saqqara necropolis, an excavation team have uncovered almost 8 million animal mummies at the burial site. Saqqara dog catacomb was first discovered in 1897 when French Egyptologist Jacques De Morgan published his Carte of Memphite necropolis, with his map showing that there are two dog catacombs in the area.

Renovations at Egypt’s oldest pyramid in Saqqara have halted because the Antiquities Ministry has not paid the company implementing the restoration. Experts have warned that parts of the ancient structure could collapse.

The excavations revealed four wall paintings of a tomb and depict the daily life and offering sacrifices of ancient Egyptians. There are hieroglyphic writings with the names of the tomb owners. The four paintings were registered in presence of the Tourism and Archeology police, and then they were transferred to Saqqara’s storehouse.

Zahi Hawass the Minister of State for Antiquities will open 7 tombs in the New Kingdom Cemetery in South Saqqara for tourism for the first time. This site contains the famous tomb of Maya, who was the treasurer of King Tutankhamun, as well as the tomb of Horemheb.

The excavation of a labyrinth of tunnels beneath the Egyptian desert has revealed the remains of millions of animals, mostly dogs and jackals. Many appear to have been only hours or days old when they were killed and mummified. The Dog Catacombs date to 747-730 B.C., and are dedicated to the Anubis.

In the last few days Sakkara has been ransacked. The tomb of Maia seems to be destroyed and even the reliefs in the burial chamber have been hacked out.

The two colourful tombs belong to a father and his son from the 6th Dynasty and were found west of the Step Pyramid in Saqqara district. The father was carrying the titles of the Chief Clerk of the King and the supervisor of missions and also held many honorary titles, Hawas said, adding the wood-made coffin of the father was buried in a 20m-deep well that was found under the false door. The most important thing found in the well was a 30cm-long limestone-made Obelisk, a symbol of the worship of 'Ra'.

Archaeologists have discovered the 3,300-year-old tomb of the ancient Egyptian capital's mayor, whose resting place had been lost under the desert sand since 19th century treasure hunters first carted off some of its decorative wall panels. Ptahmes, the mayor of Memphis, also served as army chief, overseer of the treasury and royal scribe under Seti I and his son and successor, Ramses II.

Egyptian archaeologists have unearthed the largest tomb yet discovered in the ancient Saqqara necropolis, antiquities chief Zahi Hawass said. One of two tombs found, which were carved out of stone, consists of a vast chamber that branches off into many alcoves. One alcove contained skeletons and pottery, and led to another chamber with a seven-metre-deep well.

According to Z. Hawass the Serapeum will be opend in December.