Egypt Showcases Scores of 2,500-Year-Old Coffins

November 14, 2020Middle East

Egypt Showcases Scores of 2,500-Year-Old Coffins

An archaeologist works on an a sarcophagus, around 2,500 years old, from the newly discovered burial site near Egypt's Saqqara necropolis, during a presentation in Giza, Egypt, on Nov. 14, 2020. (Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters)

SAQQARA, Egypt—Egypt on Saturday showcased more than 100 coffins dating back 2,500 years, the latest and largest find this year in the vast burial ground of the Saqqara Necropolis.

The 26th Dynasty coffins—sealed, finely painted and well-preserved—were of a higher quality than previous finds there, said the secretary-general of the supreme council of antiquities, Mostafa Waziri, suggesting they belonged to higher ranking families.

Fifty-nine coffins were unearthed in August at the same UNESCO world heritage site. More treasures are expected to be found there, said Waziri.

2500 years old Sarcophaguses — Sarcophaguses that are around 2500 years old, from the newly discovered burial site near Egypt’s Saqqara necropolis, are seen during a presentation in Giza, Egypt, on Nov. 14, 2020. (Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters)

The newly-discovered coffins, plus associated mummies and artefacts, will go on display at the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is expected to open next year.

By Sherif Fahmy