57 Ancient Egyptian Tombs Containing Mummies Discovered in Lahun

Fifty-seven ancient Egyptian tombs, most of which contain sarcophagi have been unearthed by a team of archaeologists led by Abdel Rahman El-Aydi, according to Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities.  The find is located at Lahoun, in Fayoum, approximately 70 miles (100 kilometers) south of Cairo.  This is the same area where, last year, 53 tombs dating to various periods of ancient Egypt were discovered.

The oldest of the 57 tombs dates back to approximately Egypt's first and second dynasties, 2750 B.C., with twelve dating to the 18th Dynasty during the second millennium.  We are familiar with the 18th Dynasty thanks to names such as Queen Hatshepsut, Tutankhamun and Akhenaten.

The 18th Dynasty ornately painted wooden sarcophagi contain mummies covered in linen decorated with religious texts from the Book of the Dead. 

According to Abdel Rahman El-Aydi, one of the oldest tombs discovered is almost completely intact.

Thirty-one of the tombs date to approximately 2030-1840 B.C. and contain painted scenes depicting ancient Egyptian deities like Horus, Hathor, Khnum and Amun.

Follow this link to see a photo of one of the wooden sarcophagi Lahun 20th Tomb 0-52.