A sarcophagus is seen inside the newly discovered burial chamber near Saqqara necropolis in Giza, Egypt, July 14, 2018. An Egyptian-German mission has discovered at least 35 mummies in a cemetery that dates back to the 700 BC in Egypt's southwestern province of Giza, the Minister of Antiquities said Saturday. Another mummification workshop, Saqqara, was also uncovered at the site, which was known as the ancient burial ground in Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
CAIRO, July 14 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian-German mission has discovered at least 35 mummies in a cemetery that dates back to the 700 BC in Egypt's southwestern province of Giza, the Minister of Antiquities said Saturday.
"Five stone coffins and another wooden one were discovered at the depth of 30 meters," Khaled al-Anany said at a televised press conference.
Another mummification workshop, Saqqara, was also uncovered at the site, which was known as the ancient burial ground in Egypt.
According to al-Anany, the excavation by the mission, which started its work in March 2016, is continuing and other coffins and mummies will be unearthed soon.
The oil found near the mummies was also significant as it will help determine the chemical composition of the mummification process which is still a secret of the ancient civilization, said the minister.
He added that some silver and gold cups dating back to the 26th Dynasty were seen spreading around the coffins.
Egypt has made several big archeological discoveries over the past couple of years in different parts of the country, including Pharaonic tombs, statues, coffins and mummies.
