Egypt unearths eight ancient mummies

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Egyptian archaeologists have discovered eight mummies dating back over 2,300 years at a pyramid complex south of Cairo, authorities said on Wednesday.

"The Egyptian archaeological mission working at the southeastern area of King Amenemhat II's pyramid in Dahshur Necropolis has uncovered a number of ancient burials with eight coffins," the Egyptian antiquities ministry said in a statement.

The mummies, dating from the late period of ancient Egypt, are "covered with a layer of painted cartonnage in the form of a human", the statement said.

"Three of them are in good condition."

Cartonnage, a material often consisting of a mixture of linen or papyrus and plaster, was frequently used to cover mummies.

The ministry said it planned to eventually put the mummies and the limestone sarcophagi on display at museums set to be built in the resort hubs of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.

The Dahshur complex, 30 kilometers from Cairo, was a major royal burial site that boasts the well-known "bent pyramid" of King Snefru.

In April 2017, the remains of an Egyptian pyramid built around 3,700 years ago were discovered at the complex.

(Cover photo: Eight Egyptian mummies that lived 3,000 years ago are discovered at a pyramid complex near Cairo, November 28, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): AFP