Egyptian archaeologists have discovered the tomb of a priest who conducted prayer rituals before statues of a dead pharaoh more than 4,000 years ago, according to the antiquities council.

The tomb, which belonged to the priest Rwd-ka and dated back to the Fifth Dynasty of 2,514 to 2,374 BC, was found near the pyramids of Giza, antiquities chief Zahi Hawass said.

One of the priest’s roles was to lead a series of rituals and prayers before statues of a departed pharaoh who was venerated as a god.

Partly carved from stone, the tomb is painted with a picture of the priest and his wife at a table laden with offerings.

Its walls feature bucolic scenes of cattle grazing and being milked as well as a single image of a cow giving birth, said Mr Hawass.

“Perhaps this tomb will be the beginning of discovering other tombs for classes other than the workers,” he added.