The head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, Mahmoud Afify, announced the discovery of a cemetery and a residential city dating back to 5,316 BC, the beginning of an important dynastic period, Joinfo.com reports with reference to Egypt Independent.

The discovery was made during excavations 400 meters south of King Seti I Temple at Abydos city in Sohag governorate.

The cemetery and residential city most probably belonged to senior officials who were responsible for building the cemeteries of the royal family in Abydos city.

Remains of huts and daily life tools were found in the site, including the remains of pottery and stone tools, which indicates that the residential city supplied the labor force engaged in the construction of royal tombs with food and drink.

The cemeteries are distinguished by many mastabas — a type of ancient Egyptian tomb made of mudbrick, rectangular in plan with sloping sides and a flat roof — up to four in some cemeteries, said Yasser Mahmoud Hussein, the head of the mission which made the discovery.

The oldest known mastabas were all located in Saqqara, before this discovery was made in Abydos.

It should be recalled that early November, Spanish archaeologists have discovered a millennia-old mummy in a “very good condition” near the southern town of Luxor.