Egyptian antiquity a task During excavations in Qurna, on the western side of Luxor, the Ministry of Antiquities found a cache of colorful coffins containing mummies, in addition to a group of rare papyri dating back to the Third Middle Ages of ancient Egypt.
This discovery was made through a joint mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities and Heritage, while working in the southwestern corner of the courtyard of the Seneb cemetery.
According to Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathi, this discovery represents an important addition to the growing list of archaeological discoveries in Egypt and reflects the state’s continued support for archaeological research and heritage preservation.
The cache dates back to the Third Intermediate Period, specifically Dynasties 21 to 25, and includes 22 wooden coffins painted in bright colors that still contain mummies. The coffins were discovered inside a rectangular room carved into the rock that appears to have served as a funerary storage room.
Archaeologists found the coffins arranged in several layers, stacked in ten horizontal rows, indicating an impressive level of organization. In order to maximize space, the ancient Egyptians placed coffin lids separately from the caskets, allowing more coffins to be placed within the room.
Former Minister of Antiquities and head of the mission, Zahi Hawass, described the discovery as “exceptional,” noting that it provides valuable information about burial practices during that period.
Researchers are now trying to determine the identities of those buried in the coffins. Many of the coffins bear professional titles rather than personal names, with the title that appears most frequently being “Singer of Amun” or “Channel of Amun”, suggesting a possible connection to temple musicians serving the ancient Egyptian god Amun.
The mission also found many pottery vessels that are believed to have been used during the mummification process.
One of the most interesting finds are eight papyrus sheets, found inside a large pottery jar, some of which are still sealed with their original clay stamps. Once restoration and translation are completed, researchers believe these documents could provide valuable new insights into religious and social life in ancient Egypt.
Excavations continue at the site, as archaeologists continue to search for the original graves from which the coffins may have been moved.