A new tomb that could hold the bodies of at least one unknown pharaoh has likely been discovered in Egypt, archaeologists have said.

The finding comes after part of a wall was unearthed during a project led by the University of Birmingham.

The 4,200-year-old tomb is also thought to have been an architectural support to another tomb, that contains the bodies of Harkhuf and Heqaib, governors of Elephantine Island during the Old Kingdom.

A new tomb that is thought to hold an unknown pharaoh has been discovered in Egypt. The finding comes after part of a wall (pictured) was unearthed during an archaeological project by the University of Birmingham

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE TOMB A 6.5 foot (two-metre) high ancient encroachment wall has been discovered below a visitors' pathway in the northern part of the West Aswan cemetery at Qubbet el-Hawa. The newly-discovered wall is thought to be the support for the known tombs of the first upper terrace, including those of Harkhuf and Heqaib, who were governors of Elephantine Island during the Old Kingdom. The support wall helped to secure the hillside, and thus lower lying tombs, which were accessible by a causeway leading to a second terrace. The stone wall has been dated circa 2278-2184 BCE, using the pottery shreds embedded within the mortar used to build it. Advertisement

Archaeologists from the University of Birmingham found 'compelling evidence' of the new pharaonic tombs at Qubbet el-Hawa in Aswan.

The researchers say the find is 'promising, adding that it is possible the tomb could hold a pharaoh.

The team will excavate the tomb further in April next year.

A 6.5 foot (two-metre) high ancient encroachment wall has been discovered below a visitors' pathway in the northern part of the West Aswan cemetery at Qubbet el-Hawa.

It follows an archaeological mission by the University of Birmingham and the Egypt Exploration Society (EES) Qubbet el-Hawa Research Project Group (QHRP), directed by Dr Martin Bommas of the University of Birmingham.

The newly-discovered wall is thought to indicate the architectural support for the known tombs of the first upper terrace, including those of Harkhuf and Heqaib, who were governors of Elephantine Island during the Old Kingdom.

Because of the landscape of Qubbet el-Hawa, the support wall helped to secure the hillside, and lower lying tombs, which were accessible by a causeway leading to a second terrace.

Carl Graves, a PhD student who worked alongside Dr Bommas on the project, said: 'The findings are dramatically altering our understanding of the funerary landscape in this area during the Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period in 2278-2184BC.

'I don't think anyone yet knows who the tombs might have belonged to.'

Nasr Salama, General Director of Aswan and Nubia Antiquities, describes the discovery as 'stunning' telling the Egypt Independent it is now only a matter of time until new tombs are uncovered within the important cemetery.

The archaeological mission by the University of Birmingham and the Egypt Exploration Society (EES) Qubbet el-Hawa Research Project Group (QHRP), directed by Dr Martin Bommas of the University of Birmingham (pictured left)

Archaeologists from the University of Birmingham found 'compelling evidence' of the new pharaonic tombs at Qubbet el-Hawa in Aswan, pictured on a map

The 6.5 foot (two-metre) high ancient encroachment wall has been discovered below a visitors' pathway in the northern part of the West Aswan cemetery at Qubbet el-Hawa (pictured)

Eman Khalifa, director of the pottery project within the QHRP, told the paper the stone wall was dated by the pottery shreds embedded within the mortar used to build it.

She said the crushed pieces include parts of carinated bowls, in a style typical of the reign of King Pepi II from the Sixth Dynasty, circa 2278-2184 BCE.

The find was part of the project's successful first field season, which included the recent discovery of the long sought causeway of Sarenput I, thought to have been the first governor of the area at the beginning of the Middle Kingdom.

The newly-discovered wall is thought to indicate the architectural support for the known tombs of the first upper terrace

The crushed pieces found buried in the wall include parts of carinated bowls, in a style typical of the reign of King Pepi II from the Sixth Dynasty, circa 2278-2184 BCE

The 4,200-year-old tomb is also thought to have been an architectural support to another tomb, that contains the bodies of Harkhuf, pictured in a relief from his tomb

Earlier this year, a 3,800-year-old ancient Egyptian mummy has been discovered in the same place, and may have been one of the most important figures in the civilisation's history.

Archaeologists unearthed the tomb in the necropolis of Qubbet el-Hawa and believe it belonged to a woman called 'Lady Sattjeni', a key figure in the Middle Kingdom.

They say the body was found in extremely good condition, wrapped in linen and deposited inside two wooden coffins.

Dr Mahmoud Afify, head of the Ancient Egyptian Archaeology Sector at the Ministry of Antiquities, said at the time: 'The discovery is of a historic importance because Sattjeni is one of the most important figures in the Middle Kingdom, being the mother of Heqaib III and Amaeny-Senb - two of the highest authorities of Elephantine under the reign of Amenemhat III, around 1800-1775 BC.'