The burial site, containing several unopened sarcophaguses and about 30 mummies, some dating back 4,300 years, was found last Sunday on the western side of the step pyramid in Saqqara, to the south of Cairo. Archaeologists found five sarcophaguses, and several other mummies were found placed in the niches in the wall.
A mummy of a dog was also found. It is believed that the dog was buried with its owner.
Scientists first opened a sarcophagus that had remained intact since it was buried at the bottom of an 11-meter (36-foot) shaft in approximately 600 B.C. It contained a perfectly preserved mummy of the 26th dynasty and about 100 golden amulets.
The other casket also contained a well-preserved mummy.
Scientists earlier in the week opened a wooden sarcophagus, and found that it contained a mummy of a man called Badi Enhery.
Saqqara served as a burial place for pharaohs mostly from the First and Second Dynasties. The discovery of intact burials in Saqqara is very rare as thieves had already scoured the area in ancient times.
