THE MUMMY’S RETURN
Hidden in an ancient city for millennia, 20 astonishing painted coffins are unearthed
THOUSANDS of years have passed since these ancient Egyptian coffins last saw daylight.
But their bright inscriptions and colourful paintings can still be seen under the dust after being uncovered by archaeologists.
At least 20 wooden sarcophagi have been discovered in Luxor, Egypt’s government said, with photos showing the artefacts laid in criss-crossing layers at the Asasif Necropolis.
Antiquities minister Khaled elAnany inspected the discovery at the site of the ancient town of West Thebes, and the ministry described the find as one of the ‘biggest and most important’ in recent years.
It said the coffins dated back to the Middle, New Kingdom and the Late Periods (1994 BC to 332 BC), and more details are expected on Saturday. However, experts have claimed the coffins look like they date back to the Third Intermediate Period which could make the coffins more than 3,000 years old.
This period began in 1070 BC with the death of Pharaoh Ramesses XI – about 250 years after the death of Tutankhamun and 1,000 years before Cleopatra reigned.
Egyptology lecturer Dr Roland Enmarch, of the University of Liverpool, told MailOnline: ‘Similar coffins have been found in the area and date from around the Third Intermediate Period... We can tell this from the type of decor on the coffins.’ And on their preserved state, he added: ‘If something stays dry then as long as the chemicals are stable – it can stay like this for thousands of years.’
Egypt has sought publicity for its archaeological discoveries in the hopes of reviving tourism following its 2011 uprising. Authorities last week uncovered an ‘industrial area’ in Luxor where furniture and ornaments were made for royal tombs.