Amazing Finds in Egypt

Tourists view the newly discovered coffins at Hatshepsut Temple.

Egypt has just discovered 30 ancient wooden coffins in the Egyptian city of Luxor, some of which include mummies. Secretary general Mostafa Waziri of the Supreme Council of Antiquities reports that the discovery was Egypt’s “largest and most important” in more than a century. The coffins were found at the Theban necropolis of Asasif, on the River Nile’s west bank. These tombs of Asasif date back to the Late Period (664-332BC) of ancient Egypt.

The remains were described as “exceptionally well-preserved and well-colored”, and included were the mummified remains of men, women, and two children, believed to be “from the middle class”. Interestingly enough, one can identify the gender of a mummy as it can be determined from the shape of the hands on the coffin. Open hands mean the mummy is female, while hands balled up into fists held male mummies. Coffins containing the mummified remains of children is something that is uniquely rare, so this recent find has sparked global interest. Hopefully, the discovery of these ancient fossils will help enrich our knowledge of the past and the lives once lived by these prosperous people. 

Bibliography:

Elassar, Alaa. “Egypt Unveils Discovery of 30 Ancient Coffins with Mummies Inside.” CNN, Cable News Network, 21 Oct. 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/19/middleeast/egypt-discovers-coffins-mummies-trnd/index.html.