Egyptian X-Files : Keep an eye out for the missing Khentika limestone relief from Saqqara “Updated”

Egypt’s Public Prosecution has officially launched an investigation into the disappearance of a limestone relief from the world-famous Saqqara necropolis.

The Giza Public Prosecution opened the probe into the missing relief on Monday from the ancient tomb of Vizier Khentika, two days after the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities confirmed the incident.

The prosecution has instructed security authorities to conduct urgent investigations to uncover the full circumstances of the theft.

All personnel responsible for securing the tomb of Khentika, along with officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, have been summoned for questioning. Surveillance footage from the surrounding area will be seized and reviewed, with a detailed report to follow.

The tomb of Khentika

Khentika—also written Khenti-Ka or Ḫenti-ka Ikhekhi—was a high-ranking vizier and priest of the goddess Maat during Egypt’s Sixth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, serving under Pharaoh Teti. He also held the title of “Overseer of the Royal Palace.”

His mastaba was first uncovered in 1942 by the Egyptian Antiquities Service during the Saqqara survey led by Egyptian Egyptologist Abdel-Salam Hussein, near the pyramid of Teti. Although recorded, the chambers were left sealed due to structural instability and wartime conditions. The tomb remained closed until 1953, when British Egyptologist T. G. H. James completed its excavation and publication.

The tomb is renowned for its detailed wall reliefs depicting scenes of daily life in ancient Egypt—especially those illustrating the authority and activities of its owner, Vizier Khentika.

The disappeared relief from the tomb "Khantika Paints the season" 
From Harvad archives 

The stolen relief—known as the Seasons Relief—is among the original depictions from the tomb of Vizier Khentika.

The Seasons Relief illustrates the ancient Egyptian agricultural calendar through symbolic scenes reflecting the three major seasons: Akhet (Inundation), Peret (Growth), and Shemu (Harvest). These cycles defined the rhythm of both rural life and temple economy, linking Khentika’s administrative authority to the fertility of the land and the cosmic order upheld by Maat.

The relief depicts Vizier Khentika seated on a high-backed chair, wearing a finely pleated kilt, with his hand raised to his mouth in the classic scribal or contemplative gesture painting the seasons. 

In front of him stand two or more officials or attendants, one raising an arm respectfully in a pose that indicates reporting or presenting work. These figures are subordinate scribes or inspectors rather than servants.

In the upper register, three kneeling female figures offer jars or vessels containing perfume, unguents, or food—representing female offering-bearers, possibly personifications of estates or temple staff.

The vertical hieroglyphic inscriptions identify the figures by name or title, and beside Khentika’s head appears part of his full title, “ṯꜣtj ḫntj-kꜣ (Ikhekhi),” meaning “The Vizier, Khentika (called Ikhekhi),” along with offering formulae invoking Anubis and the Ka of Khentika—confirming that this is a funerary scene integrating both administrative and agricultural symbolism.

According to Dr Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the tomb of Khentika had been completely sealed and used as a storage space for antiquities since its discovery in the 1950s. He noted that it had not been opened since 2019. 

Following news of the theft, a committee headed by Dr Amr Al-Tayebi, supervisor of the Saqqara necropolis, was formed to inventory the tomb’s contents.

The general view of the mastaba of Khentika , which is beautiful 
From Harvard's archives. 

Do not even ask why the tomb has been used as a storage space since the 1950s—or why there hasn’t been a regular inventory of its contents. The photo released to the public was, in fact, taken by a Harvard University expedition, not an Egyptian authority, despite the tomb’s discovery by an Egyptian Egyptologist.

Local media and heritage activists report that the theft occurred nearly two months ago, and if that is true, I honestly do not know what to say. The incident comes less than a month after the infamous King Amenemope’s bracelet affair—another slap in the face for Egypt’s heritage sector.

In fact, the disappearance of Khentika’s relief was only discovered during a new round of inspections that followed the Amenemope affair.

As part of this wide-ranging review of museum and site inventories, the missing limestone relief was finally noticed.

Once again, it was social media and tabloids, not official channels, that acted as the whistleblower—forcing the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to acknowledge the so-called “disappearance.”

There’s a heavy irony in publishing this post on the very same day that Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Dr Khaled El-Enany, is set to be elected head of none other than UNESCO. Yes, it seems he will secure the position despite all odds. For the record, the Saqqara necropolis—where Khentika’s tomb lies—is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the famous Memphis Necropolis.

One can only hope that Dr El-Enany, as the new UNESCO Director-General, will either explain to the world—or press the Egyptian government—to clarify why Egypt’s archaeological sites still lack proper security systems.

Given the circumstances, and considering reports that the theft happened some time ago, it is highly likely that the relief has already left the country—either sold to a private collector, acquired by a Gulf museum, or awaiting sale in a shady auction house somewhere in Europe or the United States.

Until the prosecution releases the results of its investigation, keep an eye out for the Khentika limestone relief.

Update #1 :

On October 13, Journalist Mohamed Taher of Al-Akhbar Al-Msaey published exclusively the leaked report of the Tourism and antiquities Ministry committee assigned to inventory the Khentika tomb and his report was full of surprises or rather shocks.

The report revealed the disappearance of 11 artifacts, not just one.

According to the official inventory document obtained by Akhbar El-Youm, the committee could not locate six registered items (Nos. 15431, 15466, 15519, 15609, 15617, and 15626).

Additionally, three more pieces (Nos. 15399, 15432, and 15507) could not be traced, while two items (Nos. 15592 and 15627) previously recorded in storage were also missing — bringing the total number of lost artifacts to eleven, including the Four Seasons relief.

There were no further details about the ten other missing pieces except their numbers.

As for the condition of the storage site, or rather Khentika’s tomb, the committee described it as a stone-built, tomb-shaped structure measuring approximately 20 by 12 meters, with its entrance located at the center of the eastern wall.

The door was blocked by rubble and sand up to the top, while a northern window was sealed, and the roof—made of decayed wooden beams—was in dangerously poor condition.

The site had ten small iron windows used for light and ventilation. Workers had to remove the sand and stone wall blocking the iron door, which was found locked with a single padlock, with its sealing wire and lead stamps intact.

So how did these artifacts disappear? Or did it happen more than two months ago?

The committee issued several recommendations, noting that Khentika’s tomb is in very poor condition due to rain and weathering.

Its walls still contain unique inscriptions, many of which have severely deteriorated, making it urgent to launch a full restoration and protection project.

The committee also advised examining all stone fragments currently stored in the new depot to determine whether they can be returned to the tomb and reinstalled after restoration.

There has been no official comment from the Ministry.

Update #2 :

On October 18, Journalist Mohamed Taher, who turned out to be among the first people to report the Amenemope bracelet affair was arrested after a complaint by the Minister’s assistant.

He was released hours later pending LE 2000 bail. The Minister denied his involvement and knowledge. The news of the arrest caused a huge anger among journalists and actually the Journalists syndicate did a great job in mobilizing and made sure that the veteran heritage journalist would not spend his night detained.

Taher has bee reporting scandals and corruption cases in the Ministry to the level I can understand why he would have some enemies there. Ironically, the news of his arrest made more people including myself to follow him on Facebook and to read his archive on Akhbar Youm Gate.