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Archaeologists near Luxor, Egypt, have discovered 30 sealed wooden coffins with mummies inside, some of which belonged to ancient Egyptian priests. The archaeologists have named the extraordinary finding the "cachette of the priests."
The Coffins
The discovery of the 30 sealed wooden coffins was announced by Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities. The coffins were found at the site of El-Assasif, an ancient necropolis located near Luxor, Egypt.
(Image credit: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities)
Ancient priests
Archaeologists call the 30 coffins the "cachette of the priests," since some of the mummies appear to be those of priests. They date back about 3,000 years.
(Image credit: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities)
Mummy wrappings
The mummies inside the 30 coffins consist of 23 adult males, five adult females and two children. Two of the coffins were opened at a press conference, showing that the wrappings on the mummies are well preserved, covering the face and bodies of the mummies.
(Image credit: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities)
Minister of Antiquities
Egypt's Minister of Antiquities Khaled al-Anani views a coffin up-close. The coffins are colorfully painted with images that show complex patterns, Egyptian deities and hieroglyphic writing.
(Image credit: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities)
Vivid colors
Here, a side-view of the coffins. The colors on the paintings are remarkably well preserved despite the passage of about three millennia of time.
(Image credit: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities)
Carefully carved
Here, a view of the top of the coffins, showing the carefully carved faces and hands.
(Image credit: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities)
Arranged in layers
The coffins were buried in two layers, with 18 coffins on the top layer and 12 coffins on the bottom layer.
(Image credit: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities)
Ongoing analysis
Another view showing the two layers of the coffins. Excavation of the site and analysis of the coffins and their mummies is ongoing.
Owen Jarus is a regular contributor to Live Science who writes about archaeology and humans' past. He has also written for The Independent (UK), The Canadian Press (CP) and The Associated Press (AP), among others. Owen has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Toronto and a journalism degree from Ryerson University.
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