In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists in the city of Luxor, Egypt have opened a sarcophagus in the Al-Asasif necropolis for the first time in front of international press representatives. Inside, they found a mummy that is over 3,500 years old, and whose identity is now being investigated. The team of Egyptian and French archaeologists had been working for months to uncover an unknown ancient tomb from the Middle Kingdom (2137 to 1781 BC) in the necropolis. Along with numerous burial offerings and wall decorations, they discovered two sarcophagi from the 18th dynasty.
The Egyptian Minister of Antiquities, Khaled El-Enany, announced the sensational discovery of the ancient burial site, which included wall paintings depicting the deceased with their family, as well as numerous burial objects such as statues and around 1,000 ushabtis, small burial figures made of wood, clay, and stone. However, the archaeologists had to work hard to reach the tomb, as they had to clear 300 meters of debris and rubble, encountering skeletons and skulls along the way. The Al-Asasif necropolis was the burial place of high-ranking officials and nobles of the pharaohs, making the long and difficult journey worthwhile for the archaeologists.
The tomb where the two sarcophagi were found belonged to the chief embalmer at the Mut Temple of the Karnak complex. The first sarcophagus was opened without media representatives present, but the second was opened in front of international press. Inside, they found the 3,500-year-old mummy of a woman, and investigations are underway to determine if she was the wife of the chief embalmer. This is the first time a sarcophagus has been opened in front of international press, making it a groundbreaking discovery in the field of archaeology.
