April 22, 2020
On the occasion of World Heritage Day, which is celebrated on the 18th of April, The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has announced a recent discovery at the Sacred Animal Necropolis in Saqqara.
Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stated that researches have been excavating since April 2018. They found a shaft measuring 120 x 90 cm, 11 meters deep. The bottom of the shaft revealed five sealed sarcophagi, four niches containing wooden coffins and human burials dated to the Late Period. In addition, a wooden coffin with hieroglyphic inscription was found along with 365 faience ushabti figurines, a small painted obelisk, statues of the god Ptah-Sokar-Osiri, pottery canonic jars, and other artifacts.
This discovery is one of many to follow as stated by Dr. Waziri. These discoveries will be accessible online in efforts to spread optimism within people around the world and to motivate people to stay at home in order to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Saqqara has been home to recent discoveries in Egypt, the most important of which is the beautifully decorated tomb of Wahti from the Old Kingdom and a newly found Cachette of mummified animals and birds.
