Egyptian archaeologists find burial site with 30 mummies

CAIRO. February 9. KAZINFORM Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a 4,300-year-old burial site containing several unopened sarcophaguses and about 30 mummies, Egypt's chief archeologist said on Monday.

The rare discovery was made on the western side of the step pyramid in Saqqara, to the south of Cairo, on Sunday. Archaeologists found five sarcophaguses, including a wooden one measuring 180 centimeters in length, Zahi Hawas said. Inside the wooden sarcophagus was a complete mummy of a man called Badi Enhery. Other mummies were found placed in the niches of the wall. Archaeologists expect to find old amulets during the opening of the sarcophaguses later this week. Saqqara served as a burial place for pharaohs mostly from the First and Second Dynasties. The discovery of intact burials in Saqqara is very rare as thieves had already scoured the area in ancient times, Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.