It is a festival for historians and archaeologists. Any Egyptian tomb in good condition is cause for celebration. What if there are 27? The discovery of 27 Egyptian coffins 2500 years ago was in perfect condition. They have never been opened. They were exhumed during an excavation in Saqqara, an ancient Egyptian holy city.
Painted coffins
Experts found 13 coffins for the first time earlier this month. In the subsequent work, however, 14 more were discovered, the authorities said. They rate the discovery as one of the greatest of its kind. The published pictures show well-preserved wooden sarcophagi. They are painted in bright colors and contain other minor artifacts. Saqqara was a cemetery for more than 3,000 years. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Initial studies show that these coffins are completely closed. They have not been opened since her funeral, “the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities said on Saturday. Antiquities Minister Khaled al Anani delayed announcing the find until he could visit the site in person. He thanked the staff for their work under difficult conditions on the 11-meter-deep excavation.
More secrets
The archaeological work continues. Experts are trying to find out more details about the origin of the sarcophagi. The ministry said it expected to reveal “more secrets” in the coming days.
Other artifacts discovered around the wooden coffins also appeared to be well crafted and decorated. A large supply of mummified animals was first shown to the public in November last year, which was discovered in 2018. He was found near the Saqqara Step Pyramid. The discovery included mummified cats, crocodiles, cobras, and birds.
Saqqara is about 30 km south of Cairo. It is an old cemetery that served as the necropolis of Memphis, the capital of ancient Egypt. It was more than two millennia long.
In recent years, Egypt has increased the mining of its archaeological finds. They are trying to revive their vital but weakened tourism industry. The discovery of 27 Egyptian coffins is good news for them. And for everyone.
