This archive report was first published on 14 July 2019.
On Saturday, Egypt opened two ancient pyramids south of Cairo, marking the first time they have been accessible to visitors since 1965. The Bent Pyramid of King Sneferu, the first pharaoh of Egypt's 4th dynasty, and a nearby pyramid were unveiled to the public.
According to Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani, a team of archaeologists had made significant discoveries during excavation work in the royal necropolis of Dahshur. The team uncovered sarcophagi and the remains of an ancient wall dating back to the Middle Kingdom, approximately 4,000 years ago.
The finds were made in an area home to some of Egypt's oldest pyramids, on the west bank of the Nile River. The ancient wall stretches approximately 60 meters and is situated south of the pyramid of 12th dynasty pharaoh King Amenemhat II.
"Several stone, clay and wooden sarcophagi were found and some contain mummies in good condition," the antiquities ministry stated in a press release.
Other discoveries included funerary masks and tools dating back to the Late Period, used for cutting stones. The Late Period spanned almost 300 years, up to Alexander the Great's conquest of Egypt in 332 BC.
These archaeological discoveries are part of Egypt's efforts to promote tourism, which has been impacted by the turmoil following the 2011 uprising.
