Egypt has unearthed another trove of ancient coffins in the vast Saqqara necropolis south of Cairo, announcing the discovery of more than 80 sarcophagi.
The Tourism and Antiquities Ministry said in a statement that archaeologists had found the collection of colourful, sealed caskets which were buried more than 2,500 years ago.
Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly and Tourism and Antiquities Minister Khalid el-Anany toured the area and inspected the new discovery yesterday.
Egypt has unearthed another trove of ancient coffins in the vast Saqqara necropolis south of Cairo, announcing the discovery of more than 80 sarcophagi. Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly toured the area and viewed the finds earlier this week (pictured).
Egypt has sought to publicise its archaeological finds in an effort to revive its key tourism sector, which was badly hit by the turmoil that followed the 2011 uprising. Pictured, the Egyptian Prime Minister looking inside one of the coffins
This pH๏τo from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities shows Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly looking inside at one of the coffins discovered at an ancient burial shaft at a necropolis in Saqqara
Pictured, Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly (L), Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Khaled el-Anany (C) and secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri (R) looking at a sarcophagus
Archaeologists also found colourful, gilded wooden statues, the ministry said.
