Egypt announces the discovery of 250 sarcophagi and 150 bronze statues dating back 2,500 years | Globalism
3 min read
a Egypt Submitted on Monday (30) Discover 250 sarcophagi and 150 bronze statues in Saqqara tombsouth of Cairo, is the latest in a series of fascinating discoveries in the region.
Located about 15 kilometers south of the famous pyramids on the Giza plateau, the site of Saqqara is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List and is famous for the famous stepped pyramid of Pharaoh Djoser.
Colored sarcophagi from 500 BC with mummies preserved inside them found in Egypt – Photo: Associated Press
This monument, built by the architect Imhotep in 2700 BC, is considered one of the oldest monuments in the world.
Among the 150 statues that were discovered at the site is a statue of the architect, minister and doctor Imhotep.
Mostafa Waziri, director of the country’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, told the press on Monday that Imhotep, the inventor of carved stone construction, “brought about a revolution in architecture” in the ancient world.
Waziri added that “finding the tomb of Imhotep” is one of the main goals of the archaeological mission that has already carried out four seasons of archaeological explorations at the site.
Bronze statues with preserved paintings were found in Saqqara, Egypt on May 30, 2022 – Image: Associated Press
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said in a statement that in addition to the statue of Imhotep, other bronze fragments representing the pantheon of Egyptian deities “Osiris, Isis, Hathor, Amun-Men, Nefertum and Anubis” were also discovered.
And the “250 wooden sarcophagi with mummies” from the 5th century BC Waziri added that she was also found.
In one of them, an “intact” and “sealed” papyrus found by archaeologists was immediately taken to the laboratory of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo’s Tahrir Square for restoration and analysis.
Part of more than 2,500 coffins found in Egypt, May 30, 2022 – Image: Associated Press
According to the director, the papyrus, which is about nine meters long, certainly contains chapters from the Book of the Dead.
Waziri said that the coffins will be transferred to the new “Grand Egyptian Museum” near the Giza plateau, which the Egyptian authorities hope to open this year after many delays.
Archaeologists and journalists look at coffins found in Saqqara, Egypt, on May 30, 2022. – Image: Associated Press
In January 2021, Egypt He had already discovered new archaeological “treasures” at Saqqara, among them 50 sarcophagi from the New Kingdom dating back more than 3,000 years.
The authorities assert that these discoveries will facilitate “rewriting the history” of this period.
Cairo is counting on new discoveries to resume tourismaffected by Covid-19. The sector, which employs two million people and accounts for more than 10% of GDP, has been affected since the 2011 Arab Spring.
“Devoted food specialist. General alcohol fanatic. Amateur explorer. Infuriatingly humble social media scholar. Analyst.”
