Ancient Egyptian coffin, dating back to 650 BC, restored after 26 years

2,600-year-old ancient Egyptian coffin restored

An ancient Egyptian coffin dating back to 650 BC was returned to Swansea University on July 31, following 26 years of conservation work, the university’s Egypt Center said. (Credit: Swansea University via Storyful)

An ancient Egyptian coffin has been restored and returned to Swansea University after 26 years of conservation work, according to the university’s Egypt Center.

The coffin, dating back to 650 BC, was worked on at Cardiff University after being gifted to Swansea University by Aberystwyth University in 1997, the center added.

Not much was said about the coffin's arrival in the United Kingdom and the center said the details were "sketchy" although it was present in Aberystwyth by at least 1910.

The center even said the coffin: "actually ended up being used as a storage box at one time, with other Egyptian objects placed in it for safekeeping."

Credit: Swansea University via Storyful

The center believes the coffin was made for a man named Ankhpakhered in the city of Thebes circa 650 BC. It was later used by a different occupant named Djedher, the center said. However, by the time it arrived in the UK, it had a female occupant.

Plans were in place to display the restored coffin at the Egypt Center’s House of Death gallery.