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Egypt discovers ancient coffins in major archaeological find

Egypt unveils a major archaeological discovery in the Saqqara necropolis, with 59 coffins dating back more than 2,500 years.

A picture taken on October 3, 2020 shows sarcophaguses, excavated by the Egyptian archaeological mission which discovered a deep burial well with more than 59 human coffins closed for more than 2,500 years, displayed during a press conference  at the Saqqara necropolis, 30 kms south of the Egyptian capital Cairo. - They were unearthed south of Cairo in the sprawling burial ground of Saqqara, the necropolis of the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Their exteriors are covered
Sarcophaguses, excavated by the Egyptian archaeological mission that discovered a deep burial well with more than 59 human coffins closed for more than 2,500 years, are displayed during a press conference at the Saqqara necropolis, south of Cairo, Egypt, Oct. 3, 2020. — KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities revealed Oct. 3 a major archaeological discovery in the Saqqara necropolis south of Cairo. The Egyptian archaeological mission was behind the discovery of 59 ancient wooden coffins stacked on top of each other dating back more than 2,500 years. The coffins were found in shafts buried at different depths. 

According to the ministry’s statement on its official Facebook page, Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled al-Anani said the coffins were in good condition preserving their original colors. He said that according to preliminary studies, the coffins belong to priests, high-ranking statesmen and prominent figures in society of the 26th Dynasty.

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