New archaeological discoveries were announced on Sunday in the Saqqara area of Egypt.  These finds are said to include important cultural relics from a burial temple from the ancient kingdom and new kingdom periods.

Famous Egyptian archaeologist, Zahi Hawas, says the excavation of the burial temple of queen nit, near the pyramid of Teti, the first pharaoh of the sixth dynasty of ancient Egypt, was one of the most important discoveries of this time.

Hawas said the pyramid of the queen was found in 2010, but her name was not known.  Now, he said her name, Nearit, was found on a tablet at the entrance of her funerary temple.

The team also unearthed 22 tombs around the funerary temple where they found 54 wooden coffins from the new kingdom dating back more than three thousand years.  Important cultural relics such as Papyrus texts, mummies, wood carvings, stone tablets, and clay pots have also been found.

Four South Africans are training to become the first all-female African team to climb the world’s tallest peak.

Deshun Deysel, Lisa Gering, Tumi Mphahlele and Alda Waddell are training on the sandstone cliffs of South Africa’s Drankensberg mountains. They hope that next year, they can become the first team of African women to conquer Mount Everest.

The women say they are inspired by South African business executive Saray Khumalo, who in May became the first black African woman to climb the world’s highest mountain which stands at almost nine thousand meters tall.

Each team member does her own intensive mental and physical training along with group sessions to prepare for the difficult climb.

Africa has few mountains on which to practice but Khumalo says that is not a problem.

Investec Cape Town Art Fair in South Africa, has showcased the best of African contemporary art at this year’s event, creating an opportunity for many emerging African artists to showcase their work to galleries from around the world.

The Investec Cape Town Art Fair, displayed, some of the finest examples of African contemporary art in all its forms with a vibrancy and diversity that transcends the canvas, attracting some of the most in-demand artists from the African continent.

Cape town’s art scene is constantly evolving and that was quite evident at the fair.

This event also provided an ideal platform for international buyers, who were intent on finding their next masterpieces, from the African continent.  Many of them were looking at East Africa, with particular focus on Kenyan artists’ rich and multi-layered works.