The origin of the Egyptian mastaba is still a subject of vivid discussion. New evidences connected with the beginnings of mastaba were discovered during excavations at Tell el-Farkha. On the Eastern Kom a monumental, almost square (16.9 x 18.1m) mud-brick structure, dated on Naqada IIIA2/B1, composed of five rooms surrounded by massive walls was discovered. In the eastern façade a row of niches is clear and in the main chamber 1.5m deep shaft, lined with bricks, was discovered. Few other graves from the site, dated to Naqada IIIB, had undoubtedly mastaba form with a large, free-standing superstructure and niches in at least one façade. Up till now, they are among the oldest Egyptian mastabas.