Archeologists Open Newly Discovered Egyptian Coffins That Have Been Shut For 2,500 Years

Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered an ancient trove of hundreds of coffins that have been left untouched for 2,500 years.

In addition to the 250 ancient sarcophagi discovered, archaeologists also found hundreds of statues of ancient Egyptian gods Anubis, Amun, Min, Osiris, Isis, Nefertum, Bastet, and Hathor.

A headless statue of the architect Imhotep, who built the Saqqara pyramid, was also found.

According to Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities the 250 coffins, 150 bronze statues, and other objects found date back to about 500 BC.

"The mission of the Supreme Council of Antiquities succeeded in discovering the first and largest cache of 150 bronze statues from the late period in the cemetery of the sacred animals in Saqqara, as well as burial wells containing 250 closed coloured wooden coffins containing mummies, which will be displayed in the Grand Egyptian Museum," they said in an online statement.

Head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa El-Waziri told ABC News that it was the 'biggest bronze cache' unearthed in the Bubastian cemetery.

El-Waziri added: "We also found a statue of Imhotep … and we hope we can find his tomb soon."

In the landmark find, archaeologists also uncovered a sistrum, which is a musical instrument, and a collection of bronze vessels used in rituals to worship the ancient Egyptian goddess of fertility Isis.

The coffins were found in remarkably good condition in burial shafts and they contained mummies, amulets and smaller wooden boxes.

But that wasn’t all - they also found the 'first intact papyrus in over 100 years', El-Waziri said.

Covered in hieroglyphics, the papyrus may translate to verses of the Book of the Dead.

El-Waziri revealed the pristine papyrus find will be sent to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo for further analysis at their laboratory.

"Preliminary findings suggest that the papyrus, which is rolled, is nine metres," he added.

The coffins will now be taken to the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is currently under construction near the Great Pyramids of Giza. It is scheduled to open later this year.

The massive finding is the latest in a string of ancient Egyptian discoveries in recent years.

Last year, 52 burial shafts were discovered in Saqqara with more than 50 wooden coffins found inside, according to the Guardian.

They were left untouched for more than 3,000 years.

In 2018 National Geographic reported that archaeologists unearthed the 4,400-year-old tomb of royal priest Wahtye.

One year later archaeologists also discovered hundreds of mummified animals and statues in Saqqara, Business Insider reported at the time.