Over 20 Painted Sarcophagi Discovered in Luxor's Al-Assasif Necropolis

An Italian-Egyptian archaeological mission has unearthed more than 20 painted and perfectly preserved sarcophagi in the Al-Assasif necropolis on the west bank of the Nile in Luxor, Egypt. The discovery, described by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities as one of the largest and most important in recent years, features coffins arranged on two levels within a large tomb, most retaining their original colors. The exact dating of the sarcophagi has not yet been announced, but the site has yielded artifacts from the Middle Kingdom (1994 BCE) to the Late Period (332 BCE). This find follows last week's announcement of an 'industrial area' in Luxor's Valley of the Monkeys, containing 30 workshops and a large kiln for producing decorative objects, furniture, and ceramics for royal tombs. Egypt, which has had a dedicated Ministry of Antiquities since 1994, continues to invest in archaeological excavations and site development, including the Grand Egyptian Museum set to open in 2020 near the Giza Pyramids, which will house part of the Egyptian Museum collection and artifacts from across the country.