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2,500 year old coffins, Mummies and golden statues discovered in Cairo

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) –
Egyptian officials have announced the striking discovery of almost 100 ancient coffins, some with mummies inside them, and around 40 golden statues in Cairo’s Pharaonic necropolis, Sky News reports. The findings are being temporarily exhibited by the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara.

Buried over 2,500 years ago, the human remains are contained in colorful, sealed sarcophagi, Sky News said. One particularly well-preserved mummy was wrapped in cloth and X-rayed to discover how the body was conserved.

In a statement to reporters, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Anany dated the findings back to the Ptolemaic dynasty that ruled Egypt for 300 years – from around 320BC to around 30BC and the Late Period (664-332BC).

Anany said the findings would be moved to at least three museums in Cairo, including the Grand Egyptian Museum being built near the Giza Pyramids, the Guardian reports. Moreover, Anany said, there has been a further discovery at the Saqqara necropolis, and this will be announced in the following months.

The latest discoveries are part of a series of recent findings in the area: since September, at least 140 coffins, most with mummies inside, have been found in Saqqara.