Collection Of 2,500 Years Old Sealed Coffins Unearthed In Saqqara, Egypt

| September 9, 2020 | Archaeology News | No Comments

Conny Waters – MessageToEagle.com – Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a deep burial well in the Saqqara necropolis containing more than 13 intact and sealed coffins.

Collection Of 2,500 Years Old Sealed Coffins Unearthed In Saqqara, Egypt

Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a deep burial well in the Saqqara necropolis containing more than 13 intact and sealed coffins. Preliminary examination of the coffins indicates that they have not been opened in over 2,500 years.

The place of the discovery has been visited by the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled al-Anani, accompanied by the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri, who inspected the findings made by the Egyptian team of archaeologists excavating the ancient Saqqara site.

The well is approximately 11 meters long and the wooden coffins with still preserved original colors were found stacked on top of each other.

Ahram Online reports that according to a statement by the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry, the recent findings are “the first step towards a huge discovery to be announced soon on-site.”
Collection Of 2,500 Years Old Sealed Coffins Unearthed In Saqqara, Egypt
For now, it is too early for more official statements regarding this large discovery. Waziri said that the exact number of the coffins as well as the identity and titles of their owners have not yet been determined, but these questions will be answered during the next few days as the excavation work continues.

Shallow recesses were also found on either side of the well, one of which has been opened. Inside it, the archaeologists found a significant number of artifacts and wooden coffins. It will take some time to announce the exact number of the coffins, as well as the identity and titles of their owners.

Collection Of 2,500 Years Old Sealed Coffins Unearthed In Saqqara, Egypt

During the next few days as the excavation work continues, many important details regarding the coffins will be determined and officially announced.

“This discovery includes the largest number of coffins in one burial since the discovery of the Al-Asasif cachette,” said Khaled al-Anani and thanked the workers on-site. We have to remember that the archaeologists work in much more difficult conditions now because of necessary coronavirus health and safety measures.

The mission anticipates unearthing more coffins from the well as excavation continues.

While numerous discoveries from this site have been announced over the years, this uncovering contains the largest number of coffins in one burial site since the discovery of the Asassif necropolis in Luxor.

Collection Of 2,500 Years Old Sealed Coffins Unearthed In Saqqara, Egypt

Saqqara is a vast burial ground in Egypt just west of the Nile about 20 kilometers south of Cairo city ​​center. The area that covers an area of around 7 by 1.5 km (4.35 by 0.93 mi), was a necropolis ) for the ancient Egyptian capital Memphis from early dynastic times (c. 3000–2680 BC ) and the Old Kingdom period (c. 2680–2150 BC) in which several kings and senior officials were buried.

Several important archaeological finds have been made in the area. Among other things, a number of mastabas and three wooden sarcophagi.  Sakkara borders Abusir to the north and Dahshur to the south.

Written by Conny Waters – MessageToEagle.com – AncientPages.com Staff Writer

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