More than 100 sarcophagi in perfect condition found in Egypt

Wooden sarcophagi with mummies up to 2,500 years old have been discovered at Saqqara near Cairo. They lay in three burial pits 12 metres deep. Dozens of statues of deities and humans, as well as death masks and other objects, were found alongside them. According to experts, this is the biggest Egyptian "treasure" of the year.

The sealed wooden coffins belonged to high officials of the so-called "Late Period" between 665 and 332 BC and Ptolemaic Egypt between 323 and 30 BC. Some sixty intact sarcophagi from the Late Period have already been uncovered at the same burial site last month, while it is possible that archaeologists will soon come across more. "Sakkara has not yet revealed everything. It is a real treasure," Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled el-Enani said during a press conference on Saturday.

According to the ministry, the new discoveries are the result of increased archaeological activity in recent years. It is quite likely that another interesting discovery from the necropolis may be announced in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, archaeologists hope to discover a sarcophagus-making workshop as well. "The excavation is still ongoing. As soon as you empty one burial shaft with sarcophagi, you will discover another," said el-Enani, who said more than 40 statues of ancient deities as well as burial masks, among others, have been found. Two wooden statues were found in a tomb belonging to an ancient 6th Dynasty judge. Experts believe that one of the statues depicts a man named Heteb Ka who enjoyed royal favour.
The huge, up to 8 km long and 1,800 meters wide burial site of Saqqara is located just 20 kilometers south of the Giza pyramids, 30 kilometers from Cairo. It was the flagship burial site of Memphis, the capital of ancient Egypt. In addition to the many royal pyramid tombs, there are also the mastabas of important private individuals from throughout the ancient period, the burial site of bulls and many others. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The excavated artifacts will be transported to several Egyptian museums for display, including a new branch to be opened on the outskirts of Cairo. Egypt hopes all these finds and its new museum will revive tourism disrupted by political instability after 2011 and the Covid-19 pandemic.

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They were unveiled during a ceremony on Saturday - Photo AFP

One of the perfectly preserved wooden sarcophagi - Photo AFP

They belonged to high-ranking people of the Late and Ptolemaic periods - Photo AFP

Hundreds of sealed sarcophagi were unveiled to the public on Saturday, November 14 - Photo AFP

Among the finds were perfectly preserved statues of deities and two humans - photo AFP.

Experts documenting one of the hundreds of sarcophagi - photo AFP

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