Discovery of 59 Sealed Wooden Coffins
Archaeologists in Egypt have announced the discovery of 59 well-preserved and sealed wooden coffins that were buried more than 2,500 years ago. The find was unearthed south of Cairo in the sprawling burial ground of Saqqara, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the necropolis of the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis.
Unveiling of a Fully Intact Mummy
During a media event, the team opened one of the ornately decorated sarcophagi, revealing a mummified body wrapped in burial cloth adorned with brightly colored hieroglyphic inscriptions. The face of the mummy was unveiled, offering a glimpse into the ancient past.
Ongoing Excavations and Future Discoveries
The discovery of the first 13 coffins was announced nearly three weeks ago, and since then, more have been found in shafts up to 12 meters (40 feet) deep. The tourism and antiquities minister, Khaled al-Anani, indicated that an unknown number of additional coffins may still lie buried at the site, suggesting that this is just the beginning of a larger discovery.
Dating and Historical Significance
The sealed coffins date back to the Late Period of ancient Egypt, around the sixth or seventh century BCE. Preliminary studies suggest that the sarcophagi likely belonged to priests, senior statesmen, and prominent figures in ancient Egyptian society during the 26th dynasty.
Grand Egyptian Museum and Tourism Hopes
All the coffins will be transported to the soon-to-be-opened Grand Egyptian Museum on the Giza plateau, where they will be displayed opposite a hall hosting 32 other sealed sarcophagi for priests from the 22nd dynasty, which were discovered last year in Luxor. Egypt hopes that the recent flurry of archaeological finds and the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum will boost its vital tourism sector, which has suffered multiple setbacks since the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, including the recent pandemic.
The discovery of these perfectly preserved ancient coffins provides a fascinating glimpse into Egypt’s rich history and the burial practices of its ancient civilization. As excavations continue, more treasures are likely to be unearthed, shedding further light on the lives and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians.
