A total of 27 sarcophagi buried more than 2,500 years ago have been unearthed by archaeologists in an ancient Egyptian necropolis.
An Egyptian official, Mostafa Waziri, inspecting on of the coffins, decorated with colourful ornate patterns. Photo: AFP/ Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities
The stone coffins were found inside a newly-discovered well at a sacred site in the ancient Saqqara burial ground, south of Cairo.
Thirteen coffins were discovered earlier this month, but a further 14 have followed, officials say. The discovery is now said by experts to be one of the largest of its kind.
Images released show colourfully painted well-preserved wooden coffins and other smaller artefacts.
Saqqara was an active burial ground for more than 3,000 years and is a designated Unesco World Heritage Site.
One of the coffins from a burial complex in the necropolis of Saqqara. Photo: AFP/ Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities
"Initial studies indicate that these coffins are completely closed and haven't been opened since they were buried," Egypt's antiquities ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
'More secrets'
The statement adds that Egypt's Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani initially delayed announcing the find until he could visit the site himself, where he thanked staff for working in difficult conditions down the 11 metre deep well.
The ministry said it hoped to reveal "more secrets" at a press conference in the coming days.
One of the smaller artefacts found with the coffins in Saqqara. Photo: AFP/ Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities
Other artefacts discovered around the wooden coffins also appeared to be well-crafted and colourfully decorated.
Saqqara, located around 30km south of Cairo, served as the necropolis for Memphis, the capital of ancient Egypt, for more than two millennia.
In recent years, Egypt has ramped up its promotion of its archaeological finds in a bid to revive its vital but flagging tourism industry.
-BBC