Egypt on Saturday put on show dozens of coffins belonging to priests and clerks from the 26th dynasty nearly 2,500 years ago, with archaeologists saying tens more were found in the vast Saqqara necropolis just days ago.
The 59 coffins were discovered in August at the UNESCO world heritage site south of Cairo, buried in three 10-12 meter shafts along with 28 statues of the ancient Egyptian God Seker, one of the most important funerary deities. They belonged to priests and clerks from the 26th dynasty, said Mostafa al-Waziri, secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.
The Egyptian archaeological mission behind the discovery had been active since 2018 and previously unveiled a cache of mummified animals and a well-preserved tomb of a fifth dynasty royal priest called ‘Wahtye’ in the area. Waziri explained the team had uncovered the three shafts where the coffins were laid in “perfect condition” due to a protective seal that preserved them from chemical reactions.
The mission will continue opening the coffins and studying their contents before their eventual display at the Grand Egyptian Museum, expected to open next year.
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Archeologists are astonished about this discovery in Egypt generating unprecedented headlines around the world. Untouched and unopened for over 2,500 years, they retained their original color. Deemed as one of the most remarkable sites found in recent history, Smithsonian Channel has cameras on the ground with exclusive access to document this historical revelation for TOMB HUNTERS, a new four-part series slated to premiere 2021.
Two coffins with gilded masks were also among the ones discovered. One of these golden masks has a beard, an important symbol for ancient Egyptians to identify themselves with Osiris, God of the Underworld. Researchers will study these mummies to learn more about who they were, while Scientists may even be able to identify their modern decedents.
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Now, for the first time in one place it is possible to piece together the evolution of the Egyptian attitude to death and burial – tomb building, mummification, funerary equipment and funerary texts. Stunning tombs, dozens of mummies and extraordinary artifacts all lead us on a journey far beyond the dig site to uncover mysteries of an ancient world.
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