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A worker disinfects the glass panels outside the sarcophagi on display in a room at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo’s iconic Tahrir Square, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, on March 23, 2020 (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)
CAIRO – Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities announced Sunday the discovery of 14 coffins in the Saqqara area that had been buried for 2,500 years.
The graves were found two days ago during an archaeological dig and follow 13 wooden sarcophagi discovered at the same burial site last week, the ministry said in a statement.
The vast necropolis of Saqqara south of Cairo is part of the ancient capital of Memphis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Saqqara is the site of the colossal stepped pyramid of Djoser with a rectangular base.
Photographs of the well-preserved wooden coffins show ornate and intricate paintings, with maroon and blue lines, as well as hieroglyphic images.
Egypt has tried to promote archaeological discoveries across the country in a bid to revive tourism, which was hit by travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
/ MUF
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