The mummies, found at the mud-brick pyramid at an oasis called Fayoum, are believed to be about 4,000 years old and are well preserved. The tombs containing the sarcophagi and mummies were carved into rock and are the “first to be found” at the site, according to Reuters.
Other objects were found with the mummies, including “pottery, amulets and statues.” Egyptologists believe that Senusret II, the fourth king of Egypt’s 12th dynasty, established the site. But el-Ayedi suggested to reporters that this theory could soon be refuted by one of this weekend’s discoveries. “I think we are going to change this theory, and soon we will announce another discovery,” he said.
The teams “had made a discovery dating to before the 12th dynasty,” Reuters added, “but gave no details on what it was and said an official announcement could be made within days.”
Lahun is a so-called “pyramid town” associated specifically with the reign of Senusret II. According to the online guide to Egypt, Tour Egypt, Lahun has “provided considerable information to archaeologists and Egyptologists on the common lives of Egyptians. Pyramid towns were communities of workmen, craftsmen and administrators that grew up around a king’s pyramid project."