Archaeologists in Egypt recently announced the exciting discovery of 59 well-preserved and sealed wooden coffins dating back to more than 2,500 years ago.
The extraordinary discovery took place in the desert necropolis of Saqqara, believed to have served as an extensive burial ground for Memphis, and once the capital of ancient Egypt.
Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities first revealed the discovery of a new tomb of mummies in early September, when archaeologists found a cache of 13 wooden coffins buried below the ground, stacked on top of each other. That number recently grew to 59 and researchers expect even more to be found.
What’s particularly extraordinary about the discovery is that most of the coffins have remained intact for millennia and are completely sealed, with some even featuring their original painted colors. Most of the mummies are believed to be ancient Egyptian priests.
The coffins will be displayed at the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which is expected to open in 2021. If you want to witness experts open one of the ornately decorated sarcophagi for the first time, we’ve got you covered.
