Egypt Unearths Three Coffins in Luxor: French Mission

The French archaeological mission from the Institute of Oriental Archaeology and the University of Strasbourg, working in Al-Assassif area located in Luxor on the west bank of the Nile River, announced on Wednesday the discovery of three wooden coffins for women in the courtyard of the cemetery No. 33.

In a press statement, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri said that the three coffins date back to the 18th Pharaonic Dynasty, adding that they are in good condition and feature some decorations and hieroglyphic inscriptions.

On his part, director-general of West Bank Antiquities in Luxor Fathi Yassin said out that the first 195-cm long coffin, decorated with colorful inscriptions, was for a woman named "T Abu."

The second 190-cm long and yellow coffin featured many columns of hieroglyphic inscriptions on a white background. It's for a woman called "Rao."

Meanwhile, the 180-cm long third coffin was covered by a plaster layer in white and brown colors without writings, Yassin added.

It is noteworthy that the mission managed to unearth many archaeological discoveries in Luxor, including Pharaonic tombs, statues, coffins, and mummies.

Head of the mission Frederick Cullen said that the mission discovered in 2018 a panel features three engraved texts on rituals and names of two senior statesmen, Titi Ankh and Ineni of the Theban Tomb TT81.

During this season, which began two months ago, ”El-Assasif cache” was discovered including 30 wooden coffins for priests and children belonging to the 22nd Dynasty of the tenth century BC, 3000 years ago.

The cache is located above the TT28 tomb. The discovered coffins provide evidence on the different stages of the process of manufacturing coffins at that time.