A huge number of sarcophagi, buried in the Saqqara archaeological area over 2,500 years ago, have been discovered, during excavations by the Egyptian archaeological mission working in the area.

The sarcophagi, which still bare evidence of their original colouring, were discovered buried down wells in the area, in addition to a number of coloured and gilded wooden statues.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled Al-Anani, accompanied by Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mustafa Waziri, have inspected the completion of the excavations at the Saqqara antiquities area. 

The officials were keen to descend into one of the three new burial wells, to inspect the discovery and coffins inside the wells, as a step to encourage the Supreme Council of Antiquities mission.

The details of the discovery will be announced in the next few weeks at a press conference in the Saqqara antiquities area, following the completion of archaeological documentation and photography work.

Al-Anani thanked the Prime Minister for the government support his Ministry receives, which has led to all these discoveries being made by Egyptian archaeological teams. The minister also noted the unprecedented achievements of many archaeological projects and openings that have received worldwide praise. A total of five museums will be opened across Egypt before the end of 2020.

In the past few years, the Egyptian archaeological mission has announced a number of important archaeological discoveries in the Saqqara antiquities region. The most recent of these was the discovery of 59 intact and brilliantly coloured human sarcophagi in a good state of preservation, the discovery of which was announced at an international press conference in early October. The sarcophagi were for senior statesmen and priests from the 26th Dynasty.