ZCZC
BFF-45
EGYPT-ARCHAEOLOGY
Egypt discovers 14 ancient tombs at Saqqara
CAIRO, Sept 20, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Egypt’s antiquities ministry announced
Sunday the discovery of 14 coffins in the Saqqara area that had lain buried
for two and a half thousand years.
The tombs were found two days ago during an archaeological dig, and follow
13 wooden sarcophagus discovered in the same burial spot last week, the
ministry said in a statement.
The vast Saqqara necropolis south of Cairo is part of the ancient capital
of Memphis, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Saqqara is the site of the colossal rectangular-based step Pyramid of
Djoser.
Photographs of the well-preserved wooden coffins show ornate and intricate
paintings, with maroon and blue lines, as well as hieroglyphic pictorials.
Egypt has sought to promote archaeological discoveries across the country
in a bid to revive tourism, which took a hit with restrictions on travel due
to the coronavirus pandemic.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1920 hrs