A team of Swiss and French archaeologists has unearthed a wooden bust of a human head dating back more than 4,000 years in Saqqâra, Egypt.
Scientists think that this may be the statue of Queen Ankhnespepy II , one of the most famous Queens of the 6th Dynasty of ancient Egypt.
A wooden bust believed to be a portrait of Queen Ankhnespepy II has been unearthed in Saqqara.
Under the direction of Professor Philippe Collombert of the University of Geneva, this archaeological team is conducting excavations at the ancient necropolis named Saqqara , located south of Cairo. Adorned with earrings, this human head figurine has almost life-like proportions. The statue is 30 cm tall, including the neck which is in poor condition and in need of restoration.
The 6th Dynasty (from 2350 to 2150 BC) was the last dynasty of the ancient Egyptian empire. Queen Ankhnespepy II was the wife of King Pepy I and King Merenre I respectively, and was regent during the years of her son, King Pepy II.
Temple of Queen Ankhnespepy II is a smaller area and was built after the temple of the King. Located at the southwest end of the ancient necropolis of Saqqâra, the temple of Queen Ankhnespepy II is in the area for Queens and members of the Royal Family.