Archaeologists opened a previously unopened sarcophagus before international media in El-Asasef, Luxor, revealing a remarkably well-preserved mummy from the 18th Dynasty

Several individuals, all wearing protective masks, are gathered around a covered object placed on an elevated surface within a c

People wait for the coffin to be opened (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

A mummy of a woman, remarkably well-preserved within a coffin in Egypt and dating back over 3,000 years, has been discovered.

The ancient casket, known as a sarcophagus, was one of two unearthed in El-Asasef, Luxor, on the bank of the River Nile.

Authorities opened a previously unopened sarcophagus in front of international media in 2018.

"One sarcophagus was rishi-style, which dates back to the 17th dynasty, whilst the other sarcophagus was from the 18th dynasty.

"The two tombs were present with their mummies inside," stated Egypt's Minister of Antiquities Khaled Al Anani.

An image displaying several mummified remains within a cave, with one skeleton prominently positioned in the center, partially o

The mummy was perfectly preserved (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

The Eighteenth Dynasty harks back to the 13th century BC, a period renowned for some of the most famous Pharaohs, including Tutankhamen.

The team of French researchers commenced the excavation in March, paused in May but resumed work in August.

A group of individuals, all wearing face masks, gather around a large wooden sarcophagus, with one man in the center gesturing w

Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Enany and French Professor Frederic Colin (Image: KHALED ELFIQI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

They also discovered five coloured masks and over 1,000 Ushabti statues in another nearby tomb.

Ushabti statues are miniature figurines of servants intended to serve the deceased in the afterlife.

More than 300 metres of debris were cleared over five months to reveal the tomb, which contained coloured ceiling paintings depicting the owner and his family.

An individual is capturing an image of an illuminated historical mural within a cavern, showcasing a scene with several figures.

The moment was captured on film (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

The tomb, which also houses mummies, skeletons and skulls, dates back to the middle-kingdom almost 4,000 years ago, but was reused during the late period.

Two individuals in a room with an ancient artifact, possibly an ancient mummy, displayed on a wooden coffin placed on a table, w

The preserved remains of the 3,000 year old woman (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

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Ancient Egyptians mummified humans to preserve their bodies for the afterlife, whilst animal mummies were used as religious offerings.

The nation hopes these findings will enhance its image internationally and rekindle interest amongst travellers who previously flocked to its iconic pharaonic temples and pyramids but who have avoided the country since its 2011 political uprising.