Archaeologists in Saqqara made a remarkable discovery when they uncovered a tomb complex containing around 50 mummies dating back roughly 2,000 years. The burial site lies within one of Egypt’s most important ancient necropolises, located south of Cairo.

The mummies were found inside deep burial shafts carved into rock, some reaching depths of nearly 10 meters underground. Archaeologists believe the tombs date to the late Ptolemaic period, the final era of ancient Egyptian civilization before Roman rule. Several wooden coffins, pottery artifacts, and fragments of burial masks were also discovered alongside the remains.

According to Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities, the burial chambers likely belonged to high-ranking priests and officials, along with members of their families. Some of the mummies were wrapped in elaborate linen and placed carefully within decorated coffins, suggesting they belonged to people of considerable social status.

Saqqara has long been known as one of the richest archaeological sites in Egypt. It is also home to the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser, widely considered the oldest large-scale stone monument in the world.

The discovery of dozens of mummies together provides archaeologists with valuable insights into burial practices, social hierarchy, and religious beliefs during the final centuries of ancient Egyptian civilization.

Officials say the find is part of a series of major discoveries made in Saqqara over the past decade, reinforcing Egypt’s reputation as one of the most important regions for archaeological research.

Experts believe further excavations in the surrounding area may reveal even more tombs and hidden chambers, potentially containing hundreds of additional mummies that have remained buried beneath the desert sands for millennia.