Archaeologists Find 27 Coffins at Egypt's Saqqara Pyramid
2020-09-24
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1Egyptian archaeologists have discovered 27 coffins inside a large burial ground in an ancient city south of Cairo.
2The coffins have remained unopened since they were buried more than 2,500 years ago, the country's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said this week.
3The burial ground is near the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, said Neveine el-Arif, a ministry spokeswoman.
4She said 13 coffins were found earlier this month in a newly discovered, 11 meter-deep well. Last week, 14 more were discovered in another well.
5The ministry showed video of the coffins, which were covered with colorful ancient Egyptian writing.
6Other artifacts found in the two wells were also shown.
7In March, Egypt reopened the Step Pyramid at Saqqara after a 14-year restoration effort that cost around $6.6 million.
8The pyramid is believed to be the first ever built.
9The Saqqara area once had at least 11 pyramids, including the Step Pyramid.
10It also held hundreds of tombs of ancient officials, ranging from the 1st Dynasty, 2920 B.C.-2770 B.C., to the Coptic period, 395-642.
11Archaeologists are still working to discover more about the history of the coffins, el-Arif said.
12She added that more information and some "secrets" would likely be announced next month.
13Additional coffins are expected to be found in the area, she said.
14In recent years, Egypt has often announced new archaeological finds to international media and diplomats in an effort to bring more tourists to the country.
15Last year, archaeologists found a burial ground containing hundreds of mummified animals.
16The Saqqara area is part of Egypt's ancient city of Memphis.
17It also includes Abu Sir, Dahshur and Abu Ruwaysh, as well as the famed Giza Pyramids.
18The ruins of Memphis became a UNESCO World Heritage site in the 1970s.
19In October 2019, archaeologists found 30 ancient wooden coffins with writings and paintings in the southern city of Luxor.
20The Luxor coffins were moved to be shown to the public at the Grand Egyptian Museum.
21Egypt is building the museum near the Giza Pyramids.
22Egypt's financially important tourism industry has suffered from years of political problems and violence since the 2011 uprising that removed longtime leader Hosni Mubarak.
23The industry has also been hurt by the coronavirus crisis.
24In July, the country restarted international flights and reopened major tourist areas, but the number of visitors remains low.
25I'm Susan Shand.
1Egyptian archaeologists have discovered 27 coffins inside a large burial ground in an ancient city south of Cairo. 2The coffins have remained unopened since they were buried more than 2,500 years ago, the country's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said this week. 3The burial ground is near the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, said Neveine el-Arif, a ministry spokeswoman. She said 13 coffins were found earlier this month in a newly discovered, 11 meter-deep well. Last week, 14 more were discovered in another well. 4The ministry showed video of the coffins, which were covered with colorful ancient Egyptian writing. Other artifacts found in the two wells were also shown. 5In March, Egypt reopened the Step Pyramid at Saqqara after a 14-year restoration effort that cost around $6.6 million. The pyramid is believed to be the first ever built. 6The Saqqara area once had at least 11 pyramids, including the Step Pyramid. It also held hundreds of tombs of ancient officials, ranging from the 1st Dynasty, 2920 B.C.-2770 B.C., to the Coptic period, 395-642. 7Archaeologists are still working to discover more about the history of the coffins, el-Arif said. She added that more information and some "secrets" would likely be announced next month. Additional coffins are expected to be found in the area, she said. 8In recent years, Egypt has often announced new archaeological finds to international media and diplomats in an effort to bring more tourists to the country. 9Last year, archaeologists found a burial ground containing hundreds of mummified animals. 10The Saqqara area is part of Egypt's ancient city of Memphis. It also includes Abu Sir, Dahshur and Abu Ruwaysh, as well as the famed Giza Pyramids. The ruins of Memphis became a UNESCO World Heritage site in the 1970s. 11In October 2019, archaeologists found 30 ancient wooden coffins with writings and paintings in the southern city of Luxor. 12The Luxor coffins were moved to be shown to the public at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Egypt is building the museum near the Giza Pyramids. 13Egypt's financially important tourism industry has suffered from years of political problems and violence since the 2011 uprising that removed longtime leader Hosni Mubarak. 14The industry has also been hurt by the coronavirus crisis. In July, the country restarted international flights and reopened major tourist areas, but the number of visitors remains low. 15I'm Susan Shand. 16The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor. 17_____________________________________________ 18archaeologist- n. those who study ancient sites and cultures 19coffin- n. the box a body is placed in before burial 20pyramid-n. a triangular building built in ancient Egypt 21tourism- n. the business of visiting places for pleasure 22artifact- n. something from that is from ancient times 23tomb-n. a building that hold the remains of the dead 24mummified- adj. an ancient way of preparing bodies for burial 25museum-n. a place where art and antiquities are displayed for the public