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Scientists also discovered human remains around 2,500 years old
Photo: Nariman El-Mofty / dpa
In the necropolis of Saqqara near Cairo, archaeologists have discovered another mortuary temple with around 50 sarcophagi and various artifacts from ancient Egyptian times.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, this includes a four-meter-long papyrus with a chapter from the Book of the Dead, which was common in ancient Egypt as a burial object.
The researchers also discovered death masks and games.
The finds are said to date from the time of the New Kingdom from around 1550 to 1070 BC.
Saqqara is located on the Nile south of Cairo and served as a cemetery for the capital of the Memphis Empire in Pharaonic times.
The coffins were found there in shafts twelve meters deep.
The sight popular with tourists is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The pyramids of Saqqara are considered a "great masterpiece of architectural design", as Unesco writes.
The excavations in Saqqara are led by Sahi Hawass, who is considered one of the most influential and knowledgeable archaeologists in Egypt.
Hawass has led several important excavations in the North African country and advanced the investigation of mummies with new forensic methods.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities had already announced numerous spectacular finds from Saqqara in the past few months, including around 160 coffins, some in very good condition.
Egypt hopes the discoveries will boost tourism, which had recovered slightly last year after years of political conflict and attacks.
The corona pandemic has plunged the industry into a new deep crisis.
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lmd / dpa
