Archaeologists enter a hidden chamber and find 22 intact coffins sealed for centuries
Their arrangement suggests they may have been moved there from another location in ancient times. Eight unopened papyrus scrolls were also discovered.
Every year, dozens of archaeological expeditions take place across Egypt, and most of them uncover something significant. The country, nourished by the waters of the Nile River, is home to one of the richest ancient histories in the world and has played a major role throughout the centuries. In this North African nation, archaeology is considered essential.
During one of the latest excavations, archaeologists uncovered a rock-cut burial chamber beneath the desert near Luxor. Inside, they found 22 painted wooden coffins that were intact and carefully stacked in ten horizontal rows. The coffins belonged to individuals who served as “Chantresses of Amun.” The discovery, announced by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, was made in the Asasif necropolis in the Qurna area on the west bank of Luxor, the ancient city once known as Thebes.
Alongside these burials, which date back to Egypt’s Third Intermediate Period between 1070 and 665 B.C., spanning Dynasties XXI through XXV, archaeologists also discovered eight sealed papyrus scrolls stored inside a ceramic vessel. The archaeological mission, conducted jointly by the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Zahi Hawass Foundation for Archaeology and Heritage, confirmed the presence of mummified remains inside the sarcophagi. This is considered an unusual find because many later burials in the region had already been looted.
According to experts, the burial chamber likely served as a secondary storage site rather than an original tomb. The lids of the coffins had been separated from the boxes, while the burials themselves were stacked in ten organized rows, suggesting deliberate management of the space instead of a rushed reburial. Archaeologists believe this arrangement points to institutional oversight, possibly coordinated by temple authorities.
Most of the sarcophagi identified the deceased by their professional title, “Chantress of Amun,” rather than by personal name. This detail is especially significant because it suggests that religious status during that era was important enough to take precedence over family lineage or personal history.
Their role in religion
Who exactly were these Chantresses of Amun?
To answer that question, some historical context is necessary. During this period, Egypt’s political center had fractured. Power in the north shifted to the city of Tanis, while Thebes came under the administrative control of the priesthood of Amun at Karnak. The Chantresses of Amun were part of this religious structure.
These women performed official duties within temple life, participating in sacred music, ritual chanting, and ceremonies at the Temple of Karnak. Their role was highly respected and deeply connected to the functioning of the temple. In fact, their identity as temple officials became the defining legacy preserved in their burials.
Sealed papyrus scrolls
Beyond the coffins themselves, archaeologists also uncovered eight unopened papyrus scrolls sealed with clay stamps. Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities described them as a “treasure trove of information” that is still awaiting restoration and translation.
“The scrolls vary in size and are considered a valuable source of information, and the world awaits the results of their restoration and translation,” the ministry stated.
Once translated, the papyri could provide new insights into temple administration, funerary rituals, or financial records connected to the worship of Amun. Researchers also believe residue analysis may reveal valuable information about how documents were stored in ancient Thebes.
The next objective for archaeologists is to locate the original tombs from which the coffins were moved. Doing so could help determine whether the individuals were initially buried together or whether the coffins were transferred from different burial sites at different times.
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