57 Ancient Tombs Cracked Open in Egypt

[Judi Lynn]

CAIRO, May 24, 2010
57 Ancient Tombs Cracked Open in Egypt
Some Tombs Almost 5,000 Years Old, Shedding Light on Ancient Religions; Many Contain Mummified Remains

(AP) Archeologists have unearthed 57 ancient Egyptian tombs, most of which hold an ornately painted wooden sarcophagus with a mummy inside, Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities said Sunday.

The oldest tombs date back to around 2750 B.C. during the period of Egypt's first and second dynasties, the council said in a statement. Twelve of the tombs belong the 18th dynasty which ruled Egypt during the second millennium B.C.

The discovery throws new light on Egypt's ancient religions, the council said.

Egypt's archaeology chief, Zahi Hawass, said the mummies dating to the 18th dynasty are covered in linen decorated with religious texts from the Book of the Dead and scenes featuring ancient Egyptian deities.

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