Archaeologists Find Ancient Cemetery In Egypt

July 7, 2008 2:34 p.m. EST

Cairo, Egypt (AHN) - A team of Egyptian archaeologists have discovered ancient wooden coffins believed to be a royal burial ground near the necropolis of Abydos in southern Egypt. The official news agency MENA reported the discovery of the Old Kingdom tombs on Saturday.

The discovery could date back to the Old Kingdom during the golden age of pyramid construction almost 6,000 years ago, MENA reported.

The team "has found what could be a royal complex of 13 tombs of different shapes and sizes that could have belonged to high officials from that period or people who contributed to building these tombs," the report said.

According to the team, human bones were found inside the coffins, although they were unable to specify how many coffins were uncovered.

Ivory pieces similar to those used for playing chess were found with the bodies. MENA reports that only one other similar board game has thus far been found in Egypt before with the legendary boy king Tutankhamun.