Egypt unearths dozens of 2,500-year-old coffins in major discovery

The country's Minister of Antiquities and Tourism says several sarcophagi are still to be retrieved from the area

Secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt Mostafa Waziri (C-L) speaks next to a sarcophagus discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. EPA

Sarcophaguses, excavated by the Egyptian archaeological mission, displayed during a press conference at the Saqqara necropolis, 30 kms south of the Egyptian capital Cairo, which resulted in the discovery of a deep burial well with more than 59 human coffins closed for more than 2,500 years. AFP

One of the sarcophaguses excavated by the Egyptian archaeological mission which resulted in the discovery of a deep burial well with more than 59 human coffins closed for more than 2,500 years. AFP

Sarcophaguses, excavated by the Egyptian archaeological mission which resulted in the discovery of a deep burial well with more than 59 human coffins closed for more than 2,500 years. AFP

Khaled El-Enaby, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, right, and Mostafa Waziri, the secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, left, react after opening the sarcophagus is around 2500 years old at the Saqqara archaeological site. AP

A sarcophagus that is around 2500 years old is displayed at the Saqqara archaeological site, 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Cairo, Egypt. AP

A sarcophagus that is around 2500 years old at the Saqqara archaeological site is shown, 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Cairo, Egypt. AP

Egyptian archeologists work on one of the sarcophagi discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis.EPA

Members of the press gather around sarcophagus on display after they were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. EPA

A man stands near sarcophagus on display after they were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. EPA

People inspect the sarcophagus on display after they were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. EPA

A man looks at one of the statues on display after they were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. EPA

epa08717855 A view of one of the sarcophagi discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt, 03 October 2020. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. The 2500 years old coffins, believed to be belonging to the 26th Dynasty Priests, are expected to be transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI

People inspect the sarcophagus on display after they were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza. EPA

People inspect the sarcophagus on display after they were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza. EPA

Archaeologists in Egypt unearthed dozens of ancient coffins in a vast necropolis south of Cairo, marking the latest in a series of discoveries in recent years.

Minister of Antiquities and Tourism Khaled Al Anany said at least 59 sealed sarcophagi, with mummies inside most of them, were found, having been buried in three wells more than 2,600 years ago.

“I consider this is the beginning of a big discovery,” Mr El Anany said.

There is an unknown number of coffins still to be unearthed in the area, he said.

He spoke at a news conference at the Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, where the coffins were found.

The sarcophagi were displayed and one was opened in front of reporters to show the mummy inside. Several foreign diplomats attended the announcement.

The Saqqara plateau hosts at least 11 pyramids, including the Pyramid of Djoser, or Step Pyramid, along with hundreds of tombs of ancient officials and other sites from the 1st Dynasty (2920BC-2770BC) to the Coptic period (395-642).

Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said initial studies showed that the decorated coffins were made for priests, top officials and elites from the Pharaonic Late Period (664BC-525BC).

He said archaeologists found 28 statuettes of Ptah-Soker, the main god of the Saqqara necropolis, and a beautifully carved 35-centimetre bronze statuette of god Nefertum, inlaid with precious stones.

The name of its owner, Priest Badi-Amun, is written on its base, he said.

Egyptian antiquities officials announced the discovery of the first batch of coffins last month, when archaeologists found 13 in a newly discovered well 11 metres deep.

The Saqqara site is part of the necropolis of Egypt's ancient capital of Memphis that includes the Giza Pyramids, as well as smaller pyramids at Abu Sir, Dahshur and Abu Ruwaysh. The ruins of Memphis were designated a Unesco World Heritage site in the 1970s.

Mr El Anany said the Saqqara coffins would join 30 ancient wooden coffins discovered in October in the southern city of Luxor and would be showcased at the new Grand Egyptian Museum, which Egypt is building near the Giza Pyramids.

The Saqqara discovery is the latest in a series of archaeological finds Egypt sought to publicise to revive its tourism sector, which was badly hit by the turmoil that followed the 2011 uprising.

The sector was also affected by the coronavirus pandemic.