30 Intact, Sealed, and Painted Coffins Unearthed in Luxor, Egypt
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)
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)
During the 22nd dynasty, pharaonic priests would hide coffins if they feared robbery and looting. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
The cachette was in two layers, the first had 18 coffins, and the second had 12 coffins. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
Only 26 coffins were exhibited for the media during the news conference announcing the discovery. The remaining four coffins were not in a suitable condition to display. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
Among the uncovered coffins, 23 belong to men, four to women, and three to children. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
During the conference Minister of Antiquities Khaled el Anany, renowned Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass and the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri, watched as restorers opened two coffins of mummies. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
Restorers remove the coffin's cover to reveal the female mummy wrapped in linen and talismans to guide her in the afterlife. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
Some of the coffins are fully painted with scenes from the book of the dead and the titles of the deceased, exactly as the scriptures painted on the tomb's murals. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
The coffins will be restored in order to be transported to the Grand Egyptian Museum to be on display in a special hall. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
Tourists who were coming to visit Hatshepsut's temple were surprised to see the newly discovered painted coffins. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
El Anany pointed out that he is proud of the work of the archaeologists in Luxor, as this is the first Cachette to be discovered by Egyptian archaeologists. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
Paint on a coffin with scenes from the book of the dead and the titles of the deceased. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
Dr. Waziri says, "the coffins are sealed with anchors, and there are no signs of humidity, that is why the mummies are in perfect condition of preservation." (H. Elrasam/VOA)
There were modern Egyptian residents in Al-Asasif area till a few years ago, which made pressure on these coffins while unearthed, causing cracks and scratches in the paints. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
Dr. Waziri explains, "fisted hands position on the coffins is for men, and the open hands' gesture is for women." (H. Elrasam/VOA)
Some of the coffins on display were unfinished coffins. However, Dr. Hawas emphasizes that they were made in the same workshop. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
The Egyptian tourism sector has suffered from an acute deterioration in the past few years due to political and security turmoil, but the recent discoveries help revive the tourism business. (H. Elrasam/VOA)