The tomb was remarkable, Egyptian officials said, for the complexity of the hieroglyphs still contained within. Most of the colors–among them light yellows and rich blues– on the walls is intact. Wahtye features in some scenes, as do his wife, Weret Ptah, and his mother, Merit Meen. Above the door are carved some of Wahtye's titles. Other scenes depicted on the walls were of sailing boats, performing music, making pottery and funerary furniture, and performing religious offerings.

Also intact within the tomb were 45 statues, many large and depicting the high priest and his family, carved into rock and five shafts, which might contain coffins or grave goods.

Neferirkare ruled during Egypt's Fifth Dynasty. He is known to have commissioned several large buildings, including a pyramid (likely for himself) and a temple to Ra, the sun god. Many surviving records describe the king as a benevolent ruler.

Saqqara is a sprawling complex northwest of Memphis that yielded many spectacular finds through the years. It is also home to the famous Step Pyramid, or Pyramid of Djoser, which predates the Great Pyramids of Giza.