Egypt discovers 13 mummies believed to be 2,500 years old

The discovery comes a week after the country reopened its archaeological sites

Some of the 2,500-year-old wooden coffins discovered in a burial shaft at the desert necropolis of Saqqara south of Cairo. AFP

A statue discovered along with the 2,500-year-old wooden coffins in a burial shaft at the desert necropolis of Saqqara south of Cairol. AFP

One of thirteen 2,500-year-old wooden coffins discovered in a burial shaft at the desert necropolis of Saqqara south of Cairo. AFP

Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri inspecting one of the 2,500-year-old wooden coffins discovered in a burial shaft at the desert necropolis of Saqqara south of Cairo. AFP

Egyptian authorities have discovered a collection of more than a dozen coffins believe to hold human mummies that are more than two millennia old.

The 13 chambers were uncovered piled up in a well in Saqqara, an ancient site located around 20 miles south of Cairo, Egypt's capital, according to Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

After being found almost 40 feet deep underground, archaeologists said the chambers were protected from weathering, leaving original details visible on the coffins' exteriors.

Khaled El Enany, Egypt's minister of tourism and antiquities, said it was "an indescribable feeling when you witness a new archaeological discovery" in a Twitter post.

In a Facebook video, one of the archaeologists says it is a unique find. "I have never seen this before," he says.

Egypt only last week opened its archaeological sites and museums after months of closures because of the coronavirus pandemic. Such finds are not only crucial to Egypt's heritage but also its economy.

Archaeologists also found four caskets holding mummies in Saqqara earlier this year.