27 ANCIENT COFFINS UNEARTHED INSIDE WELL

 Sky News 21 September 2020 - by Aisha Zahid, news reporter

© Other Experts have said this is one of the largest discoveries of its kind

Archaeologists in Egypt have found 27 ancient sarcophagi buried more than 2,500 years ago - the largest discovery of its kind.

They were discovered down an 11-metre (36ft) deep well at a sacred burial site in Saqqara, south of the capital, Cairo.

A total of 13 coffins were found earlier this month, the unearthing of a further 14 was announced by officials at the weekend.

Experts have said this discovery is one of the largest of its kind.

© Other Studies indicated the coffins haven't been opened since they were buried

Images released by Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities show the well-preserved wooden coffins which are painted colourfully, alongside other smaller artefacts.

In a statement released at the weekend, the ministry said: "Initial studies indicate that these coffins are completely closed and haven't been opened since they were buried."

It continued: "More of them are likely to be found inside the well's side where a number of archaeological hook-ups were found."

The statement added that identification processes will be taking place, and "more secrets" will be shared in a news conference in the coming days.

Despite being discovered earlier, the ministry delayed any announcement until antiquities minister, Khaled al-Anani, was able to visit the site, where he thanked staff work working in difficult conditions.

Saqqara was an active burial ground for more than 3,000 years - it served as the necropolis for Memphis, the capital of ancient Egypt.

In 1979, it was recognised as a designated Unesco World Heritage Site.

Promotion of archaeological finds in Egypt have become more prominent over recent years in an attempt to revive the country's tourism industry.

© Other Small artefacts were found alongside the ancient coffins

In 2019, a total of 20 ancient coffins were found in the Egyptian city of Luxor.

In the same year, mummified animals and cat statues were found near a pyramid site in Saqqara.