SAQQARA, Egypt – More than 2,600 years after his burial, Egyptian archaeologists said Saturday that they discovered at least ancient coffins in a vast necropolis south of the country’s capital, Cairo, one containing the immaculate mummy of a former priest.
The ornate sarcophagus has remained closed since they were buried near the famous staggered pyramid of Djoser in Saqqarah, according to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Images shared through the ministry showed colorful sarcophagus with ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Other artifacts and at least 28 statues were discovered in the two deep wells, the ministry said.
A sealed door has also been unearthed where more mummies are expected to be present, said Khaled el-Anany, prime minister of antiquities and tourism, adding that the artifacts were in condition and would then be exhibited at the Great Egyptian Museum.
Mostafa Waziri, general manager of Egypt’s Supreme Antiquities Council, told NBC News that the discovery reminded him of King Tutankhamin’s tomb because they were both found almost intact.
The Saqqara Plateau is part of the necropolis of the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 1970s, including the pyramids of Giza and houses tombs created thousands of years between the First Dynasty (2920 a. C. ) . J. -C. -2770 BC) She was a coptic (395-642).
Hundreds of mummified animals, birds and crocodiles were discovered in the past year, as well as two mummified lion cubs.
Egypt has vigorously promoted new archaeological discoveries to the media and diplomats in recent years, in an effort to revive its tourism sector, which has suffered since the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings that overthrew autocrat Hosni Mubarak.
The sector suffered this year’s blow from the coronavirus pandemic.
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Last week, the ministry exhibited a bronze statue of the god “Nefertam”, one of the artifacts discovered along with the ancient wooden coffins.
With inlays of red agate, turquoise and lapis lazuli gems, it reaches a height of 35 cm and at its base is inscribed the call of the owner of the statue, a priest “Badi Amun”.
“The saqqara antiquities region shows its secrets,” the ministry said.
Charlene Gubash reported from Saqqara and Adela Suliman from London.
The Associated Press contributed to the report.