Explorers in Egypt continue to discover new tombs from ancient times, and just a few days into 2025 they have already found a 4,000-year-old grave that is most unique. In fact the individual who was entombed there might be one of the most colorful and interesting characters to be given the honor of a royal burial in ancient Egypt.
In Saqquara, the site of the ancient capital city of Memphis, 25 miles (32 kilometers) from Cairo, a team of archaeologists from a joint French-Swiss mission located the tomb of a renowned healer known as Teti Neb Fu. This individual, who lived during the reign of the Old Kingdom’s first Sixth Dynasty ruler, the pharaoh Pepi II, functioned as both a physician to elites and as a magician with the power to evoke and control supernatural forces should traditional forms of healing fail to produce acceptable results.
This fascinating fellow was entombed in a type of burial chamber known as a mastaba. Reserved strictly for important people in ancient Egypt, mastabas featured a flat roof and inward sloping sides made from mudbricks or limestone, creating a cozy, cave-like resting place for the dearly departed as they awaited their opportunity to ascend to the spiritual realm.
On his stone sarcophagus, a hieroglyphic inscription listed Teti Neb Fu’s official titles as “Chief Palace Physician, Priest and “Magician” of the Goddess Serket (meaning he was an expert in treating venomous snake bites), Chief Dentist and Director of Medicinal Plants.”
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With an impressive resume like this, its not hard to see why he was buried in an elaborate tomb “adorned with stunning carvings and vibrant artwork, including a beautifully painted false door and scenes of funerary offerings,” according to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which announced this exciting discovery on its Facebook page.
There was evidence to show that the good doctor’s tomb had been looted at some point in the past. Burial goods were undoubtedly stolen at that time, but his tomb otherwise remained intact, and its walls were still well-preserved and richly decorated with carved and painted images of various objects and geometrical motifs popular in Old Kingdom times.
A Majestic Land Where Magic, Medicine, and Mystery Were Magically Mixed
The French-Swiss mission began excavating areas where people associated with the government of Pepi II were buried in 2022, and this is the most notable tomb they have found so far.
Interior view of the intact and well-preserved decorated walls of the tomb of Teti Neb Fu. (Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities).
The Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Muhammad Ismail Khaled, was delighted to hear about the discovery of the tomb of someone who would have been well-known and highly respected in his time (which would have been in the 23rd century BC).
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Khaled noted that the list of titles that identified the physician-magician as a prestigious figure also revealed some fascinating information about the beliefs and practices of the wealthy and powerful in ancient Egypt’s Old Kingdom days. It seems that medicine and magic were seen as complementary methods for ensuring good health and good luck, as Teti Neb Fu’s rather unique resume so clearly demonstrates.
Past archaeological research has already revealed a lot of information about medical practices in ancient Egypt. Over many centuries the Egyptians learned how the human cardiovascular system works, how to care for and protect teeth, and how to treat neurological health issues like depression and dementia. They made attempts to treat brain cancer and diagnose and treat diabetes, and understood how bad posture could affect the bones. Their knowledge of chemistry was also advanced, as was demonstrated by their mastery of embalming techniques.
Close-up of engravings found on the wall of Teti Neb Fu’s tomb in Saqqara, Egypt. (Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities).
And much has been discovered about the ancient Egyptian interest in magic as well. There are stories in the Bible that testify to this, such as the tale about how the Pharaoh from Exodus was attended to by magicians who competed for status with Moses and Aaron by performing various types of miracles (such as turning their staffs into serpents, it is alleged). Ancient texts show the Egyptians believed in magical spells and incantations of all types, using speech, written words, images, rituals, and movements to channel spiritual forces that could influence events and guarantee the continuation of Egyptian dominance in their part of the world.
Another Magical Find at Saqqara
Saqqara is the location of the very first Egyptian pyramid, the 4,700-year-old Step Pyramid of Djoser. This sacred mecca served as the and that has made it an incredibly popular site for archaeologists looking for tombs and mummies. With each burial discovered archaeologists and historians have acquired new knowledge about the ancient Egyptian culture, which rivals Rome as the most studied ancient culture in the world.
The latest find adds to the depth of understanding of life in ancient Egypt. In that culture, it seems a person who claimed to have magical powers, and could convince powerful aristocrats that he really did, could enjoy many of the privileges that were usually reserved for the land’s most exalted rulers, even extending after death.
Top image: Tomb of royal doctor Teti Neb Fu, found 25 miles southwest of Cairo in Saqqara,Egpyt.
Source: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
By Nathan Falde
