The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has announced the discovery of over 13 intact and sealed coffins.
These coffins date back to 2,500 years ago.
The ministry, in a statement, disclosed that the coffins were found at an archaeological site in Saqqara necropolis in Giza.
The coffins, along with three sealed niches, were unearthed inside an 11-meter-deep shaft.
Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Minister, Khaled al-Anany, and Mostafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), visited the site on Sunday, inspecting the excavation work in the shaft.
“This discovery marks the largest number of coffins found in one burial place since the discovery of the Asasif Cachette,’’ the minister said, referring to the discovery of 30 ancient coffins in October 2019 at Asasif cemetery in Upper Egypt’s Luxor Province.
“The discovery in Saqqara includes a wonderful collection of coloured wooden coffins whose colours and inscriptions are still in a good condition even after 2,500 years,’’ Waziri, who leads the Egyptian archaeological mission in Saqqara, told journalists.
Waziri said the exact number of the unearthed coffins as well as the identity and titles of their owners have not yet been determined.
But, he added, they will be properly accounted for in the coming days as the excavation works progress.
“The mission continues excavation work on the site and this is expected to result in many other new discoveries of shafts, coloured wooden coffins and statues,’’ the SCA chief added.
Initial studies reveal that the coffins were found completely sealed and have probably not been opened since they were buried inside the shaft, according to the ministry.