Iran Press/ Africa: Egypt’s tourism and antiquities minister says archaeologists have unearthed dozens of ancient coffins in a vast necropolis south of Cairo.
The dramatic find was unearthed south of Cairo in the sprawling burial ground of Saqqara, the necropolis of the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“We are very happy about this discovery,” said Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
Since the find of the first 13 coffins was announced almost three weeks ago, more have been discovered in shafts at depths of up to 12 meters (40 feet).
An unknown number of additional coffins may still lie buried there, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani said at the site, near the 4,700-year-old pyramid of Djoser.
The coffins, sealed more than 2,500 years ago, dating back to the Late Period of ancient Egypt, from about the sixth or seventh century BC.
Excavations in Saqqara have in recent years unearthed troves of artifacts as well as mummified snakes, birds, scarab beetles, and other animals.
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