Egypt’s Min. of Tourism and Antiquites announced the discovery of cache of sealed coffins in Saqqara

CAIRO – 7 September 2020: Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced that more than 13 intact and sealed coffins were discovered in Saqqara, which is considered massive discovery.

The newly discovered coffins were found inside an 11-metre deep shaft, where three sealed niches were also found.

On September 6, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled El-Enany and secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziry inspected the excavation work in the shaft.

‘’An indescribable feeling every time you witness a new archaeological discovery, especially when it’s an 11 meters deep shaft encompassing a number of sealed pharaonic human coffins. A wonderful feeling that you are revealing a new secret of our great civilization... Stay tuned for the announcement of a new discovery in Saqqara! A big thank you to all my colleagues in the ministry for their efforts and dedication’’ said El-Enany.

Waziri announced that the exact number of coffins, identity and its owners’ names have not yet been discovered, but the answers to these questions will be revealed the in the upcoming days as the excavation work continues.

The coffins are 2,500 years old, were stacked on top of each other and still keep their original colours.

The first studies revealed that the newly uncovered coffins are sealed and have not been opened since they were buried in the shaft, and that most probably they were found in the same location.

 It is worth mentioning that Saqqara discovery houses the largest number of coffins in one burial since the discovery of the Al-Asasif cachette.