How did archaeologists unearth 27 thousand-year-old coffins in Egypt?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic raging around the world this year, many industries around the world have been hit hard, especially tourist attractions with a large number of tourists. The Egyptian pyramids are no exception. They were even closed when the COVID-19 was at its worst. The tourist attractions were destroyed, causing heavy losses to the Egyptian tourism industry.

Now that the COVID-19 situation has improved, Egypt also plans to comprehensively revitalize the tourism industry. This is the news that 27 2,500-year-old sarcophagi have been unearthed. This is one of the many cultural relics unearthed in Egypt in recent times. part of.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities recently stated that Egyptian archeology has unearthed 27 sarcophagi near the Saqqara necropolis, about 32 kilometers south of Cairo. They have been buried for about 2,500 years, and they are still there. It is unclear how many sarcophagi remain to be excavated.

The hiding place of these sarcophagi was found in an 11-meter-deep shaft. The Saqqara necropolis complex is over 3,000 years old and is home to one of the oldest pyramids in the world. Last year, archaeologists discovered a secret cave here containing hundreds of mummified animals (birds and crocodiles), as well as two mummified lion cubs.

The Saqqara necropolis complex is part of the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis, which also includes Sir Abu, Dahshur and Abu Bruwesh as well as the famous Pyramids of Giza. The Memphis ruins were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 1970s.

Thirteen sarcophagi have been excavated in this shaft earlier, and another 14 sarcophagi have recently been unearthed here, bringing the total number of sarcophagi unearthed in the shaft to 27.

All 27 sarcophagi unearthed appear to be completely sealed. Preliminary research and analysis indicate that these sarcophagi have never been opened since they were buried. Although these sarcophagi have been buried underground for thousands of years, some of the original color remains on the surface.

Archaeologists also discovered some smaller artifacts in the shaft. Included were some funerary figurines buried beside the tomb; a small wooden obelisk, about 40 cm high, was also found in the shaft, depicting the Egyptian goddesses Isis and Nepheus and the god Horus. Portrait of the god Horus, one of the most famous gods of ancient Egypt.

In December 2018, in the Saqqara necropolis complex, archaeologists discovered a private tomb belonging to a purification priest, which dates back to more than 4,000 years ago. A month before that, Archaeologists also discovered a massive cat cemetery and a collection of rare mummies.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has a very positive attitude towards archaeology and has excavated ancient tombs on a large scale. This has aroused opposition and even anger from many netizens around the world: Why do we always have to provoke these ancient cultural relics? Can't they be allowed to rest in peace? ? Put it back quickly! Not really in 2020. ? Do you want to be dug up after being buried for thousands of years? ?

And more people are focusing on the "curse", because since ancient times in Egypt, there has been a saying that "people who disturb mummies may suffer bad luck, get sick or die", and since the above Since the mid-century, scientific studies have confirmed that these claims originated from bacterial infection or radiation spread.

There is opposition, and naturally there is agreement. Many people believe that archaeological excavations should not be involved in other matters, and more archaeological excavations can help solve the mysteries of the ancient Egyptians.

For many years, people have believed that archaeological excavations are very similar to tomb robbers, but the mentality of archaeologists and tomb robbers is actually significantly different. Archaeologists regard archeology as academic work, and they will also pay attention to various information about the cultural relics left behind and record them, hoping to be useful in future research; tomb robbers do not care whether the cultural relics have been damaged on site, but only care about the cultural relics. The level of value.