An Egyptian archeology mission working on the west bank of the Nile has discovered 30 intact and sealed coffins of 22nd Dynasty priests and priestesses of Egypt's deities Amun and Khonsu. During the 10th century BC, almost 3000 years ago, tomb robbers were widespread in Egypt, stealing the funerary collections found in tombs and destroying coffins and mummies. Pharaonic priests would often hide coffins to protect them. Some of the coffins are fully painted with scenes from the book of the dead and the titles of the deceased, while others are partly painted, and a few are plain. The coffins will be restored before being transported to the Grand Egyptian Museum for display in a special hall.
30 Intact, Sealed, and Painted Coffins Unearthed in Luxor, Egypt
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The Al-Asasif Cachette consisted of 30 coffins, 26 of them intact and sealed. Many were painted coffins of 22nd Dynasty priests and priestesses of Egypt's deities Amun and Khonsu. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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A 3,000-year-old cachette (hiding place) unearthed recently in Al-Asasif necropolis on the West Bank of the Nile in Luxor, Egypt. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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During the 22nd dynasty, pharaonic priests would hide coffins if they feared robbery and looting. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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The cachette was in two layers, the first had 18 coffins, and the second had 12 coffins. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
