Statue Found at Saqqara Redefines Ancient Egyptian Art of the Old Kingdom!
Archaeologists working at Saqqara have uncovered a truly extraordinary piece that’s reshaping what we thought we knew about ancient Egyptian art. Discovered in 2021 at Gisr el-Mudir, this limestone statue portrays a nobleman and his family in a way never before seen in Old Kingdom sculpture, blending traditional three-dimensional carving with delicate relief work.
The statue, recently analysed by Dr Zahi Hawass and Dr Sarah Abdoh and published in The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, breaks with convention. At its centre stands a nobleman, poised with his left foot forward, a classic stance in Old Kingdom art symbolising life and strength. He’s dressed in a short lappet wig and a finely pleated kilt, his muscular torso carefully modelled to highlight vitality and elegance.
Kneeling beside him is his wife, smaller in scale to signify her supporting role. She wears a simple sheath dress with a broad collar and shoulder-length wig, an image of grace and devotion.
Photo Credit: Dr. Zahi Hawass
What makes this statue truly exceptional, however, is the daughter carved behind her father’s leg, not in full round form, but in bas-relief. She’s shown clasping his leg with one hand while holding a goose in the other, possibly a symbol of offering or sustenance for the afterlife. This seamless blend of sculptural techniques, three-dimensional and relief, is something entirely new for this period and has no known precedent in Old Kingdom art.
Although the statue was found without its original archaeological context, likely discarded by ancient tomb robbers, its date has been determined through careful stylistic comparison. The piece bears striking similarities to the limestone statue of Irukaptah, now in the Brooklyn Museum, also from Saqqara. The two share almost identical proportions, poses, and craftsmanship, suggesting both were produced during the Fifth Dynasty by the same artistic workshop.
For generations, scholars have taught that Old Kingdom sculpture followed strict artistic conventions, leaving little room for creativity or innovation. The Gisr el-Mudir statue challenges that idea, revealing that ancient sculptors were far more experimental and adaptable than previously believed. This combination of artistic techniques demonstrates how they could respect tradition while still exploring new forms of expression.
Speaking to Archaeology News Online Magazine, Dr Hawass shared his personal experience of the find:
“I found the statue hidden under the sand, and nearby was a false door inscribed with the name ‘Messi’. Its symbolism may reflect the unity of the family, suggesting they would be reunited in the afterlife as they were in life.”
He also noted that the tomb lacked inscriptions, and the depiction of the daughter holding a goose mirrors scenes of daily life typically painted on tomb walls, here, uniquely captured in stone.
Interestingly, while high-relief carving is usually associated with much later periods, such as the Ptolemaic era, this statue proves the technique was already known over 4,300 years ago. The integration of relief and full sculpture makes this piece the only known example of its kind from the Old Kingdom, a true artistic innovation.
This discovery reinforces Saqqara’s reputation as not only one of Egypt’s most important burial sites but also a thriving centre of artistic experimentation. The Gisr el-Mudir family statue stands as evidence that even in a period known for order and convention, Egyptian artists possessed imagination, flexibility, and a willingness to push boundaries.
It’s a breathtaking reminder that innovation isn’t a modern invention, it’s been shaping human expression for thousands of years.