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Archaeologists have discovered a treasure trove of ancient Egyptian coffins

Oct 6, 2020

1 MIN READ
A guide briefs tourists before canopic jars which contained the organs of the ancient Egyptian New Kingdom Pharaoh Tutankhamun (1332-1323 BC) at his tomb KV62, displayed with the Tutankhamun collection at the Egyptian Museum in the centre of Egypt's capital Cairo on November 6, 2022. - The resting place of Egypt's pharaoh Tutankhamun has become the world's most famous tomb, its discovery 100 years ago among the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time.
Benedetta Geddo

Writer

Turin

Your friendly neighbourhood millennial dedicating each and every day to travelling, feminism and Korean pop music. Born and raised in Italy, I have lived in France, Ireland, Poland and the US before returning to Piedmont where I’m now based. I have two cats who are way too spoiled for their own good.
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As one would expect from a place that saw the rise of such an incredible civilisation like that of the Ancient Egyptians, Egypt seems to be an endless trove of archaeological treasures – like the almost sixty two-millennia-and-a-half-old sarcophagi, which were unearthed in perfect condition.

The oldest pyramid in the world is welcoming visitors once again

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The latest discovery was made in Saqqara, an “antiquities area still revealing its secrets” and also the location of the oldest pyramid in the world, the Step Pyramid of Zoser. Excavations began in August and the first findings were announced in September, but the full array of treasures was presented to the public over the weekend, on Saturday October 3, in a press conference.

Archaeologists discovered three burial wells 10 to 12 meters deep, containing 59 (for now, since it’s probable that more will be dug up) wooden sarcophagi and statues dating back to the 7th century BC and the 26th dynasty, so 2500 years ago.

They have remained incredibly well preserved throughout the millennia, and one can still clearly see that they were richly decorated and painted as befitted the important people that were resting inside them. That’s because, as it was explained during the press conference, the sarcophagi seem to have belonged to priests, top officials and otherwise important people within the community.

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If you’d like to follow the excavation works and remain up to date with new discoveries, you can check out the official Facebook page of the Ministry for Tourism and Antiquities here.

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