Just weeks after displaying 59 ancient coffins from Saqqara, archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered another collection of unopened sarcophagi in the necropolis, south of Cairo.
This time, more than 80 sarcophagi have been found, according to Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
In a statement, the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry stated that the trove of colourful coffins, which was discovered on Monday, October 19, were buried in Saqqara more than 2,500 years ago. They were found in three newly discovered burial shafts.
Saqqara is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and the necropolis for Memphis, the capital of ancient Egypt.
Gilded wooden statues were also among the archaeological discoveries, as seen on the Instagram page of Egypt’s Tourism and Antiquities minister, Khaled El Enany. On Monday, the minster shared images from his visit with the caption: “More burial shafts that contain dozens of coloured coffins sealed since ancient times are discovered. We will announce the details of this discovery soon.”
Further information on the archaeological finds will be announced in a news conference at the Step Pyramid of Djoser, according to the ministry.
Earlier this month, coffins of priests and clerks from ancient Egypt’s 26th dynasty were put on display after they were found in August. The coffins were buried with 28 statues of the funerary deity Seker.
In recent years, the archaeological mission in charge of the discovery have also uncovered mummified animals and tombs in the area. Their efforts are part of a push from Egyptian authorities to preserve ancient artefacts and boost the tourism sector.
The discoveries will eventually make their way to the Grand Egyptian Museum, a $1 billion project that will house the largest collection of artefacts from ancient Egypt – about 100,000 – and is set to be completed by the end of the year.
Construction on the museum has been stalled for decades and was temporarily stopped in April due to the coronavirus pandemic. In August, however, Major General Atef Moftah, tasked by Egyptian president Abdel Fattah Al Sisi to lead the project in 2016, confirmed that work is “96.5 per cent complete”.
Among the highlights of the museum’s collection are 5,000 artefacts from the tomb of Tutankhamun, which include golden treasures such statues, fans, jewellery, as well as objects owned by the pharaoh, such as boomerangs and walking sticks.
The museum, located in Giza, is expected to open to visitors in 2021.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The biog
Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah
Date of birth: 15 November, 1951
Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”
Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
