59 ancient coffins of the earliest Pharaoh era were found in Egypt

The dramatic find was excavated in southern Cairo in the Saqqara cemetery, the ancient city of Memphis, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site - Photo AP

KAHERAH: Despite Egypt's efforts to revive the country's tourism sector affected by COVID-19, Egyptian archaeologists yesterday uncovered the discovery of 59 ancient coffins estimated to be over 2,500 years old.

The dramatic find was excavated in southern Cairo in the Saqqara cemetery, the ancient city of Memphis, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Citing an international news agency, one of the decoratively decorated coffins was opened by the archaeological team before showing a mummy wrapped in cloth with hieroglyphic writing in bright colors.

"We are very happy with this discovery," said the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mostafa Waziri.

More than two weeks ago, about 13 ancient coffins were also found at a depth of about 12 meters (40 feet).

It is understood that all the coffins will be taken to the Great Museum of Egypt on the Giza Plateau which is expected to open in the near future

Meanwhile, the Minister of Tourism and Antiques, Dr Khaled Al-Anani informed that his party expects more buried wooden coffins have not yet been found at the location.

According to Khaled, the ancient coffin, estimated to be 2,500 years old, dates from the Late Times of Ancient Egypt around the sixth or seventh century BC.

"I have seen the opening of one of the coffins, the mummy seems to have just been preserved yesterday," he added.

Dozens of statues were also found in the area including a bronze statue resembling Nefertem - an ancient god of lotus flowers.

According to Khaled, preliminary studies show that sarcophagus (stone coffin) is believed to belong to priests, senior statesmen, and prominent figures in Ancient Egyptian society from the 26th dynasty.

It is understood that all the coffins will be taken to the Great Museum of Egypt on the Giza Plateau which is expected to open in the near future

The 26th dynasty of Egypt was the last native dynasty to rule Egypt before the Persian conquest in 525 BC.

The 26th dynasty was also known as the Saite Age (originally from Sais, the capital owned by Pharaoh).