A coffin that had been previously classified as empty has been housing human remains this whole time. Scientists in Australia have uncovered human feet and bones inside the 2,500 year old coffin after it had been untouched for more than 150 years. Researchers say the discovery was actually made last year, but is just coming to light now.
The coffin was one of four brought the to Nicholson Museum at the University of Sydney from Egypt in 1860. It was believed empty and researchers studied the other three coffins with complete mummies inside. Scientists say the mummy was “badly torn apart” most likely by tomb raiders at some point in history and only about 10% of the body remains. Dr. Jamie Fraser from the museum says the hieroglyphics on the coffin date back to 600 BC and was built for a female priestess or worshiper named Mer-Neith-it-es.
Still, the findings may pose research opportunities for other scientists. Dr. Fraser says, “By doing this process of excavation we can stabilize the remains and conserve them properly.”
Source: BBC
Photo: Getty Images