Archaeologists in Egypt discover mummification workshop

A photographer films a gilded silver mummy mask found on the face of the mummy of the second priest of courage, as shown during a press conference in front of the Saqqara step pyramid in Giza on Saturday, July 14, 2018. Archaeologists say they discovered a mummification workshop around 2,500 years old in an ancient necropolis near the famous Egyptian pyramids. (AP Photo / Amr Nabil)

Archaeologists in Egypt made a new discovery more than 2,500 years ago near the famous Egyptian pyramids in an ancient necropolis south of Cairo.

The discovery, which includes a mummification workshop and a shaft that serves as a communal burial site, is located in the Saqqara Necropolis of Memphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Memphis and its vast necropolis are home to a variety of temples and tombs, as well as the three famous Giza Pyramids.

The most recent find, which was announced at a press conference on Saturday, dates from the Saitic-Persian period from 664 to 404 BC. The place south of the Unas pyramid was last excavated more than 100 years ago in 1900.

An embalming cachette containing a large collection of ceramic vessels, intestines and measuring beakers was found in the mummification workshop. Archaeologists believe the results will reveal more about the oils used in the 26th Dynasty in the mummification process.

“We are facing a gold mine of information about the chemical composition of these oils,” said Ramadan Hussein, head of the German-Egyptian mission, at the press conference.

The artifacts found included fragments of mummy boxes, canopic cylindrical glasses, and marl clay and faience beakers. Many are on display in the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is under construction, the first phase of which is expected to open later this year.

Archaeologists in Egypt discover mummification workshop

Recently discovered skulls and bones are seen in an approximately 2,500 year old mummification workshop in an ancient necropolis near the famous Egyptian pyramids in Saqqara Cemetery in Giza on Saturday, July 14, 2018. Officials from the Ministry of Antiquities said at a press conference archaeologists hope the find will reveal more about the secrets of mummification in the 26th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. (AP Photo / Amr Nabil)

Archaeologists also found a gilded silver mask on a mummy’s face in a badly damaged wooden coffin. The mask, first discovered since 1939, belongs to a priest.

“Finding this mask could be called a sensation,” said Hussein. “To date, very few precious metal masks have survived, as the graves of most of the ancient Egyptian dignitaries were looted in antiquity.”

On the 30 meter deep shaft there are numerous burial chambers, which are carved into the bedrock on the sides of two corridors. There are several mummies, wooden coffins and sarcophagi.

“It’s just the beginning,” added Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani. He told reporters that after further excavation, the sites are likely to bring more discoveries.

Egypt has gone to great lengths to revitalize its vital tourism industry and is still affected by the political turmoil following a popular uprising in 2011. The Ministry of Antiquities has promoted discoveries in recent years in the hope of boosting tourism, an important pillar of the foreign currency.

  • Archaeologists in Egypt discover mummification workshop

    A recently discovered gilded mummy mask is on display after it was found in a disturbed context of the hallway of an approximately 2,500-year-old burial chamber in an ancient necropolis near the famous Egyptian pyramids in Saqqara, Giza, on Saturday July 14, 2018, officials said of the ministry said at a press conference that archaeologists hope the find will reveal more about the secrets of mummification in the 26th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. (AP Photo / Amr Nabil)

  • Archaeologists in Egypt discover mummification workshop

    Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Anani speaks during a press conference in front of the Saqqara Step Pyramid in Giza on Saturday, July 14, 2018. Archaeologists say they discovered a famous mummification workshop around 2,500 years old in an ancient necropolis near Egypt Pyramids. (AP Photo / Amr Nabil)

  • Archaeologists in Egypt discover mummification workshop

    Recently discovered mummies are seen in an approximately 2,500 year old mummification workshop in an ancient necropolis near the famous Egyptian pyramids in Saqqara, Giza, on Saturday, July 14th, 2018. Officials from the Ministry of Antiquity said at a news conference that archaeologists hope the find will reveal more about the secrets of mummification in the 26th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. (AP Photo / Amr Nabil)

  • Archaeologists in Egypt discover mummification workshop

    Recently discovered mummies are seen in an approximately 2,500 year old mummification workshop in an ancient necropolis near the famous Egyptian pyramids in Saqqara, Giza, on Saturday, July 14th, 2018. Officials from the Department of Antiquities said at a press conference that archaeologists hope the find will reveal more about the secrets of mummification in the 26th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. (AP Photo / Amr Nabil)

  • Archaeologists in Egypt discover mummification workshop

    Reporter film recently discovered a gilded mummy mask that was found in a disturbed context of the hallway of an approximately 2,500 year old burial chamber in an ancient necropolis near the famous Egyptian pyramids in Saqqara, Giza, on Saturday July 14th, 2018 A press conference, the archaeologists hope the find will reveal more about the secrets of mummification in the 26th Dynasty of ancient Egypt. (AP Photo / Amr Nabil)

  • Archaeologists in Egypt discover mummification workshop

    Excavation workers are resting in front of the Unas pyramid on the left and the Saqqara step pyramid in Giza on Saturday, July 14, 2018. Archaeologists say they discovered a mummification workshop in an ancient necropolis near Egypt’s famous necropolis that is about 2,500 years old and pyramids. (AP Photo / Amr Nabil)

  • Archaeologists in Egypt discover mummification workshop

    Excavation workers walk in front of the step pyramid of Saqqara in Giza on Saturday, July 14, 2018. Archaeologists say they discovered a mummification workshop around 2,500 years old in an ancient necropolis near the famous Egyptian pyramids. (AP Photo / Amr Nabil)

Archaeologists find an ancient necropolis in Egypt

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