In ancient mummification factories and tombs found close to the capital Cairo, a stunningly well-preserved Egyptian sarcophagus has been found.
The beautiful blue, yellow, and maroon-patterned coffin was discovered in the Pharaonic necropolis of Saqqara, a section of Memphis, the former capital of Egypt and a Unesco World Heritage site.
In addition to the sarcophagus, archaeologists discovered clay pots, stone beds, and ceremonial containers in addition to natron salt, one of the primary materials needed for mummification.
Unveiling the spectacular find, Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the workshops had been used to mummify humans and sacred animals.
They are believed to date back to the 30th Pharaonic Dynasty (380BCE to 343BCE) and Ptolemaic period (305BCE to 30BCE).
The tombs found nearby date back much further. One belongs to Ne Hesut Ba of the Old Kingdom’s fifth dynasty, 4,400 years ago, and the other to Men Kheber of the late kingdom’s 18th dynasty, 3,400 years ago. Both men were priests.
Inscriptions of cultivation, hunting and other daily activities were found on the walls of Ne Hesut Ba’s tomb, while ‘scenes showing the deceased in different positions’ were engraved in Men Kheber’s tomb, officials said.
In January, archaeologists found 4,300-year-old statues of Egyptian priests, officials and servants in Saqqara, while last year the necropolis revealed a ‘dream discovery’ in the sarcophagus of Ptah-em-wia, treasurer for King Ramses II – also known as Ramses the Great.
Egypt’s government has heavily promoted new archaeological finds to international media and diplomats in recent years. It hopes that such discoveries will help attract more tourists to the country to revive an industry that has suffered since the 2011 Arab Spring, and been further impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and Ukraine war.