CAIRO (AP) – Egyptian archaeologists have unearthed more than two dozen ancient coffins in a necropolis south of Cairo, an official said Monday.
Sarcophagus have remained closed since they were buried more than 2500 years ago near the famous stepped pyramid of Zoser in Saqqarah, said Neveine el-Arif, spokesman for the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, who said thirteen coffins were discovered earlier this month in an 11-meter deep (36-foot) newly discovered well, and another 14 were discovered last week in another well.
Images shared through the ministry showed colorful sarcophagus decorated with ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, as well as other artifacts that the ministry said were discovered in any of the s.
The Saqqara Plateau houses at least 11 pyramids, adding the stepped pyramid, as well as plenty of tombs of former officials, ranging from the 1st dynasty (2920 to. C. a. 2770 BC). ) in the Coptic era (395-642).
Archaeologists were still running towards the origin of the coffins, el-Arif said, adding that more main points and “secrets” will most likely be announced next month.
In recent years, Egypt has vigorously encouraged new archaeological discoveries in the media and diplomats in an effort to revive its key tourism sector by attracting more tourists to the country.
El-Arif said that additional excavations were underway in the necropolis and that more coffins would be found.
Last year, archaeologists discovered a hideout in Saqqara that included tons of mummified animals, birds and crocodiles, such as two mummified lion cubs.
The Saqqarah Plateau is part of the necropolis of the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis, which also includes Abu Sir, Dahshur and Abu Ruwaysh and the famous pyramids of Giza. The ruins of Memphis were designed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 1970s.
In October 2019, archaeologists unterrained 30 ancient coffins with inscriptions and paintings in the southern city of Luxor.
Luxor’s coffins were moved to be presented at the Great Egyptian Museum, which Egypt built near the pyramids of Giza.
Egypt’s key tourism sector has suffered years of political unrest and violence following the 2011 uprising that overthrew autocrat Hosni Mubarak, and the sector has been hit this year by the global coronavirus pandemic.