[Article] 100 Perfectly Preserved Egyptian Coffins Discovered in the Necropolis of Saqqara

Recently announced on November 14, archaeologists have announced the discovery of at least 100 perfectly preserved ancient Egyptian coffins, some of which contain mummies alongside 40 statues dating to Pharaonic times in the Saqqara necropolis located to the south of Cairo.

Intricate painted designs are still visible on the sealed sarcophagi that were interred more than 2,500 years ago in burial shafts, along with golden masks and amulets. – CNN

The coffins were exhumed from three burial shafts that are 12 meters deep, the head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa El-Waziri said, adding to the 59 sarcophagi discovered last month in the same area, which served as the necropolis for the ancient capital of Memphis, a UNESCO world heritage site.

“It’s the biggest discovery of 2020, but we are not stopping here yet. The discovery of one burial shaft leads to another,” antiquities minister Khaled El-Anany told reporters. – ABC

The Dynasty ruled Egypt for some 300 years – from around 320 B.C. to about 30 B.C., and the Late Period (664-332 B.C.). – Daily Mail

Sources:

• CNN – Archaeologists find 100 ancient Egyptian coffins, some with mummies, at burial complex
• ABC – Egypt uncovers more than 100 sarcophagi in ancient burial ground
• Daily Mail – New wonders of the ancient world: Egyptian officials unveil 100 newly-discovered sarcophogi – some still with mummies inside – that were found in vast necropolis