Unopened sarcophagi buried for 2,500 years unearthed from Egyptian tomb

Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered 27 sarcophagi believed to have been buried more than 2,500 years ago.

The closed coffins were unearthed from an 11-metre deep tomb in Saqqara, a sacred site about 20 miles south of the capital Cairo.

Thirteen coffins were discovered earlier this month but a further 14 were announced on Sunday.

The wooden coffins are said to be well-preserved and some have even retained their original colours, despite being buried underground for millennia. 

They were found completely sealed and haven’t been opened since their burial thousands of years ago, authorities said.

Egypt tourism and antiquities minister Khaled El-Enany said the find was one of the largest of its kind.

“It is the largest number of coffins in one burial since the discovery of the Al-Asasif cachette,” he said, referring to the 2019 discovery of 30 coffins, one of the most significant discoveries in more than a century.

He thanked excavation workers for operating in difficult conditions, including new coronavirus-related safety measures.

“It’s a very exciting discovery,” he said. “I think it’s only the beginning.”

It is unclear exactly how many more sarcophagi might be discovered in the well but the ministry said it hoped to reveal more “secrets” at a future press conference.

Saqqara, a Unesco World Heritage Site, was an active burial ground for more than 3,000 years.

In April, archaeologists discovered five limestone sarcophagi and four wooden coffins containing human mummies.  

They were found in a burial shaft nine metres below ground.

Among the artefacts in the shaft was a 40-centimetre tall wooden obelisk featuring depictions of Egyptian goddesses.  

Last year, archaeologists also discovered a “one of a kind” tomb belonging to a high priest dating back 4,000 years.