Ancient Coffins and Rare Papyri Discovered in New Archaeological Find in Luxor

2026-03-08 - 14:04

An Egyptian archaeological mission has uncovered a cache of colorful coffins containing mummies, along with a collection of rare papyri dating back to the Third Intermediate Period of Ancient Egypt, during excavations in Al-Qurna on the West Bank of Luxor. The discovery was made by a joint mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Zahi Hawass Foundation for Archaeology and Heritage while working in the southwestern corner of the courtyard of the tomb of Seneb. According to Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy, the discovery represents a significant addition to Egypt’s growing list of archaeological finds and reflects the state’s continued support for archaeological research and heritage preservation. The cache dates back to the Third Intermediate Period, specifically Dynasties 21 to 25, and includes 22 brightly painted wooden coffins still containing mummies. The coffins were discovered inside a rectangular chamber carved into the rock that appears to have served as a funerary storage room. Archaeologists found the coffins arranged in several layers, stacked in ten horizontal rows, demonstrating a remarkable level of organization. In order to maximize space, the ancient Egyptians placed coffin lids separately from... This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read.