A Czech team of archaeologists are uncovering a 4500 year old Egyptian boat buried near a mastaba (large rectangular tomb) near Abusir, approximately 15 km (9.3 miles) south of Cairo. The team has been excavating the burial site for several years. The practice of burying boats near tombs was common in ancient Egypt, but construction methods make this boat unique. From the description, the vessel appears to be a sewn boat in which planks were tied together using ropes or other lines.