Authorities in Egypt have announced the discovery of more than 100 sealed coffins dating back some 2,500 years to around the time of the Persian conquest.
The coffins, most appearing to be made of wood, were reported to have been found in
three burial sites south of the modern day capital Cairo.
The discovery came just a month after 59 other coffins were discovered at a nearby site, although Mostafa Waziri of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities in speaking to the BBC said the most recent discovery of coffins were in a better condition than those announced in October.
Mr. Waziri went on to say “This discovery, because of the number of the coffins that we found, we’re talking about more than 100 coffins, is really something very important” adding that the people preserved in the coffins and their “standard of living” showed them to be “high rank people” which is why “the condition of the coffins is not like the 59 announced on October 3rd. This time, most of them were a little bit rich, or richer than the other ones, a little bit of a higher rank than the other ones.”
Some of the coffins are currently undergoing forensic examinations to reveal details about the occupants.
Whilst no further discoveries have yet been revealed to the public, the relative lack of interest seen in this particular area by tomb robbers over the centuries is promising, with authorities anticipating that further discoveries could be unearthed as excavations continue in the area.
For now, the 100+ mummies will be put on display at the nation’s Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which is expected to open next year.
