Archaeologists have found 'doorway to the afterlife' in ancient Egypt discovery

[Judi Lynn]

Published 20:57 1 Aug 2025 GMT+1

Lucy Devine

Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in an Egyptian tomb that's over 4,000 years old.

The tomb belongs to Prince Userefre, the son of King Userkaf, who reigned from around 2465 to 2458 BC. It also includes inscriptions such as 'hereditary prince', 'judge', and 'governor', as well as 'minister' and 'chanting priest'.

However, according to Professor Emeritus of Egyptology at the University of Toronto, Ronald Leprohon, this is the first time he has been brought to the attention of Egyptologists, as he told The New Archaeologist: "Before this discovery, we didn't even know he existed."

While investigating the tomb in Cairo, the team discovered a large, pink door inside a catacomb, an underground cemetery consisting of tunnels and chambers.

The door, which was 15 feet high, doesn't open but is believed to be symbolic, as a way of representing 'a portal to the afterlife'.



The tomb belongs to Prince Userefre (Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities)

. . .

Dr Melanie Pitkin, from Cambridge University, previously explained that false doors allowed the 'ka' of the dead to move between the tomb and the afterlife.



The door is believed to be a symbolic one (Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities)

More:
https://www.ladbible.com/news/world-news/archaeologists-doorway-afterlife-tomb-ancient-egypt-prince-userefre-627220-20250801