In Saqqara, the ancient necropolis near Memphis, archaeologists are once again preparing a sensation: in the coming days Egypt will officially announce the discovery of new shafts where dozens of painted coffins and gilded artifacts rest, surpassing in scale the discovery of 59 coffins in early October.
The work of the Egyptian mission in this area, known for the burials of priests and dignitaries of the XXVI Dynasty, has revealed three additional shafts. In them are wooden coffins with mummies, sealed more than 2500 years ago, brightly painted and preserved in excellent condition, as well as wooden statues, painted and gilded masks. The Prime Minister of Egypt personally descended into one of the shafts to assess the scale of the find.
This is not merely an increase in numbers to the already known 59 coffins. Every such discovery reminds us: the ancient Egyptians built an entire civilization around the idea of eternal life, where body and soul continued their journey after death. Modern man, encountering these artifacts, involuntarily asks himself about his own memory — what we will leave behind and how we will preserve the connection with the past.
For decades, Saqqara has been giving science new data about the burial practices, social structure and beliefs of the era. The new shafts, judging by all appearances, belong to the same period and probably contain the remains of members of the elite — priests and officials. Such finds make it possible to refine our understanding of rituals and daily life without resorting to speculation.
In a world where digital traces are easily erased and attention is scattered, these tombs stand as a silent reminder: the material evidence of the past helps us understand how people millennia ago sought meaning in the finitude of life. As the old saying goes, "he who remembers lives twice."
The expected announcement will not only enrich museum collections but also strengthen interest in Egypt's heritage, drawing attention to the need for careful study and preservation of such monuments.
