By: Nour Hany
Thirty Kilometers south of Cairo, in the city of the dead, 27 sarcophagi have been discovered in the ancient Egyptian necropolis, Saqqara.
In early September of this year, Egyptian archaeologists have discovered what is considered one of Egypt’s largest discoveries in the last 100 years. At the beginning of the month, 13 coffins were discovered, followed by 14 others by the end of the same month; the 27 sarcophagi were buried for more than 2500 years.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in Egypt stated that these coffins “are completely closed and have not been opened since they were buried”. The discovery includes wooden coffins that are well-preserved and colorfully painted, along with other smaller artifacts. The 27 sarcophagi have been found inside a newly discovered well at a sacred site in Saqqara. The organs of the mummified bodies were removed and placed in wooden boxes, wrapped in linens; the boxes were adorned with hieroglyphics. Although it has been more than 2500 years since they were buried, the coffins kept most of their hieroglyphics and original paint.
Saqqara was the first capital of ancient Egypt; it is home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which is the first stone building in the world. The city used to be full of tombs and temples, as it was not only dedicated to burying kings. In 2018, a group of mummified animals was discovered near the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara. These animals included mummified cats, crocodiles, birds, and cobras; in November 2019, they were displayed to the public for the first time.
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