An Egyptian archeology mission working on the west bank of the Nile has discovered 30 intact and sealed coffins of 22nd Dynasty priests and priestesses of Egypt's deities Amun and Khonsu. During the 10th century BC, almost 3000 years ago, tomb robbers were widespread in Egypt, stealing the funerary collections found in tombs and destroying coffins and mummies. Pharaonic priests would often hide coffins to protect them. Some of the coffins are fully painted with scenes from the book of the dead and the titles of the deceased, while others are partly painted, and a few are plain. The coffins will be restored before being transported to the Grand Egyptian Museum for display in a special hall.
30 Intact, Sealed, and Painted Coffins Unearthed in Luxor, Egypt
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Only 26 coffins were exhibited for the media during the news conference announcing the discovery. The remaining four coffins were not in a suitable condition to display. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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Among the uncovered coffins, 23 belong to men, four to women, and three to children. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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During the conference Minister of Antiquities Khaled el Anany, renowned Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass and the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri, watched as restorers opened two coffins of mummies. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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Restorers remove the coffin's cover to reveal the female mummy wrapped in linen and talismans to guide her in the afterlife. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
