A team of Egyptian archaeologists recently unearthed 30 ornate wooden coffins dating back approximately 3,000 years.

The huge cache of coffins were discovered in the Asasif Necropolis on the Nile River’s west bank near Luxor, Egypt. Authorities have called it the most significant find of its kind in over 100 years.

 

 

 

According to excavation team lead, Mostafa Waziri, the coffins were found in two layers with 18 coffins on top of 12 others.

The mummies found inside each included 23 adult males, 5 adult females, and two children; dating back to 1000BC under the rule of the 22nd pharaonic dynasty. The coffins had been collected and hidden by a priest for fear of being looted.

 

 

 

Two of the coffins of a man and a woman were opened, both wrapped in cloth and well preserved. Their genders were identified by their hand position, as women were buried with hands open while men’s hands were closed.

The coffins will undergo further analysis and restoration before being moved to a showroom at the Grand Egyptian Museum, due to open next year next to the Giza pyramids, the ministry said.