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Egypt on Saturday displayed dozens of coffins of priests, high officials and elites of society from the 26th Dynasty of ancient Egypt nearly 2,500 years ago, around the 5th century. 6 or 7 BC.
Archaeologists say dozens of other coffins were found just a few days ago in the vast Saqqara cemetery, news agency Reuters He said.
Excavation of the area began about two months ago. Photo: REUTERS
Archaeologists discovered 59 coffins in August at the Saqqara Cemetery, located south of Cairo. It was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1979.
40 of 59 coffins are on display for the press. Photo: REUTERS
These coffins are buried at a depth of 10-12 m along with 28 statues of the ancient Egyptian god Seker, one of the most revered deities in the cemetery.
A man opened one of the coffins during the media presentation event. Photo: REUTERS
Currently 40 of them have been exposed to the press. On October 3, the team opened the lid of a beautifully decorated coffin and inside was a mummy wrapped in burial cloth with many brightly colored hieroglyphs.
Most of the coffins found to date contain the mummified remains of priests, high officials and elites of the time. Photo: REUTERS
Mostafa al-Waziri, general secretary of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt, said that they belonged to priests, high officials and elites of the society during the 26th dynasty of ancient Egypt.
All of these people were buried according to a complex rite of ancient Egypt.
A close-up of an artifact unearthed outside the coffin exposed on October 3 – Photo: REUTERS
According to Mr. Waziri, the coffins remain “in perfect condition” due to a protective seal that preserves them from chemical reactions.
The coffins were kept “in perfect condition” thanks to a protective seal that preserves them from chemical reactions. Photo: REUTERS
Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities and Tourism, Dr. Khaled El-Enany, said the mission began excavating the site two months ago and discovered a 10-meter-deep burial pit.
Inside the well, they found 13 intact coffins. The team continued digging, discovering two more pits, one at a depth of 9.7 m and the other at a depth of 12 m. Both burial pits are also filled with ancient coffins. They are estimated to be around 2,500 years old.
Excavations at Saqqara in recent years have unearthed many artifacts such as mummies of snakes, birds, beetles, and other animals. Photo: REUTERS
“We are very proud of what we have done,” El-Enany said.
In recent years, excavation work at the Saqqara cemetery has uncovered many artifacts such as mummies of snakes, birds, beetles and other animals.
However, the discovery of 59 coffins this time is the first major discovery since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt, prompting the closure of many museums and archaeological sites in the country.
Archaeologists say the excavated site may still have other buried coffins. Photo: REUTERS
Researchers will continue to open the remaining coffins and study them. The coffins will be on display at the Grand Museum, in the province of Giza, Egypt, next year.
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