A total of 27 sarcophagi buried more than 2,500 years ago have been unearthed by archaeologists in an ancient Egyptian necropolis. They were found inside a newly-discovered well at a sacred site in Saqqara, south of the capital, Cairo. Thirteen coffins were discovered earlier this month, but a further 14 have followed, officials say.
The discovery is now said by experts to be one of the largest of its kind. Images released show colorfully painted well-preserved wooden coffins and other smaller artefacts. Saqqara was an active burial ground for more than 3,000 years and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“Initial studies indicate that these coffins are completely closed and haven’t been opened since they were buried,” Egypt’s antiquities ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
The statement adds that Egypt’s Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani initially delayed announcing the find until he could visit the site himself, where he thanked staff for working in difficult conditions down the 11m-deep (36ft) well.
