Archaeological discovery of proportions in Egypt. 59 intact sarcophagi, brought to light after 2500 years

Nearly 60 sarcophagi en perfect state of conservation were discovered in the Saqqara necropolis, south of Cairo, where they had been buried more than 2500 years ago, archaeologists who participated in the discovery announced on Saturday, October 3, as cited by Le Monde.

“Nearly three weeks ago, we discovered 13 sealed and intact sarcophagi, and the following week, we found 14 more,” said Khaled Al-Enani, The Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities.

In total, 59 sarcophagi were brought to light near the famous pyramid at Djéser, erected 4700 years ago, the first built in the Pharaonic era.

epa08717601 Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled al-Anany (C-R) and Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri (C-L) examined at Saqqus discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt, 03 October 2020. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. The 2500 years old coffins, believed to be aparting to the 26th Dynasty Priests, are expected to be transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum. EPA-EFE/KHALED ELFIQI

epa08717722 People stand near sarcophagus on display after they were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt, 03 October 2020. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. The 2500 years old coffins, believed to be aparting to the 26th Dynasty Priests, are expected to be transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum. EPA-EFE/KHALED ELFIQI

epa08717799 People stand near sarcophagus on display after they were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt, 03 October 2020. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. The 2500 years old coffins, believed to be aparting to the 26th Dynasty Priests, are expected to be transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum. EPA-EFE/KHALED ELFIQI

epa08717800 A man stands near sarcophagus on display after they were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt, 03 October 2020. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. The 2500 years old coffins, believed to be aparting to the 26th Dynasty Priests, are expected to be transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum. EPA-EFE/KHALED ELFIQI

epa08717842 People inspect the sarcophagus on display after they were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt, 03 October 2020. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. The 2500 years old coffins, believed to be aparting to the 26th Dynasty Priests, are expected to be transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum. EPA-EFE/KHALED ELFIQI

epa08717855 A view of one of the sarcophagi discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt, 03 October 2020. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. The 2500 years old coffins, believed to be aparting to the 26th Dynasty Priests, are expected to be transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum. EPA-EFE/KHALED ELFIQI

epa08717862 People sit near sarchagus on display after they were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt, 03 October 2020. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. The 2500 years old coffins, believed to be aparting to the 26th Dynasty Priests, are expected to be transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum. EPA-EFE/KHALED ELFIQI

epa08717864 People sit near sarchagus on display after they were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt, 03 October 2020. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. The 2500 years old coffins, believed to be aparting to the 26th Dynasty Priests, are expected to be transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum. EPA-EFE/KHALED ELFIQI

epa08717866 A man looks at one of the statues on display after they were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt, 03 October 2020. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. The 2500 years old coffins, believed to be aparting to the 26th Dynasty Priests, are expected to be transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum. EPA-EFE/KHALED ELFIQI

epa08717867 People look at one of the statues on display after they were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt, 03 October 2020. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. The 2500 years old coffins, believed to be aparting to the 26th Dynasty Priests, are expected to be transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum. EPA-EFE/KHALED ELFIQI

epa08718388 View a sarcophagus discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt, 03 October 2020. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. The 2,500 years old coffins, believed to be aparting to the 26th Dynasty Priests, are expected to be transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum EPA-EFE/KHALED ELFIQI

epaselect epa08717705 Egyptian archeologists unveil one of the sarcophagi discovered at Saqqara Necropolis, Giza, Egypt, 03 October 2020. An Egyptian archaeological mission uncovered a total of 59 intact and sealed coffins in three burial shafts dozen of meters deep in the Saqqara necropolis. The 2500 years old coffins, believed to be aparting to the 26th Dynasty Priests, are expected to be transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum. EPA-EFE/KHALED ELFIQI

“We are only at the beginning of a great discovery,” said the Egyptian minister, who noted that wooden sarcophagi probably date back to the 16th dynasty of ancient Egypt, around the 6th and 7th centuries before our era.

Sarcophages, which are covered by complex drawings in vivid colors and hieroglyphics, will be transported to the Grand Egyptian Museum, the opening of which will take place next year.

Mummified animals: snakes, birds and scarabs

Archaeological excavations in the Saqqara area have revealed numerous mummified animals, especially snakes, birds and scarabs, in recent years.

The UNESCO World Heritage site is home to the necropolis of ancient Egypt’s capital, Memphis.

It is the first discovery since the pandemic of the new coronavirus reached the country, leading to the closure of museums and archaeological sites for three months.

Egypt is betting on new discoveries to re-energize tourism, which has been subjected to heavy trials by political instability installed after Hosni Mubarak’s ouster in 2011 and the pandemic, the publication notes.