When discovered last week, the coffins were in two layers, with 18 coffins on top of 12 others, he said. The coffins were for men, women and children from the 22nd dynasty (945-715 B.C.) ADAntiquities Minister Khaled el-Anany said the mummies found in the coffins included 23 adult males, five adult females and two children. Their gender can be distinguished by the shape of their hands, said Waziri, who explained that ancient women were buried with their hands open while men’s hands were closed. He said the coffins will be moved in November to the Grand Egyptian Museum that Egypt is building near the famed Giza Pyramids in Cairo.

Source: Washington Post October 19, 2019 11:02 UTC