THE COFFINS of high-status ancient Egyptian Sennedjem and one of his wives have been cracked open at a museum in Egypt.

The sarcophagi were unpacked in the hope of restoring and preserving the mummies inside but some people think the Curse of the Pharaohs, supposedly unleashed on anyone who disturbs an Ancient Egyptian mummy, will be triggered.

Sennedjem was a skilled worker who oversaw other workers that lived in the Deir Al-Medina necropolis in Luxor and worked on the Valley of the KingsCredit: Reuters

Sennedjem was a skilled worker and Egyptian official who was buried in the workers village of Set Maat in modern day Deir Al-Medina alongside his family.

He lived during the reigns of Seti I and Ramsesses II of the 19th Dynasty, around 3,400 years ago.

He was known as a “Servant in the Place of Truth” and oversaw other workers building the tombs in the Valley of the Kings.

His tomb was discovered in 1886, where he was found buried with his wife Iyneferti, more than 20 other relatives and home furniture like his bed and a stool.

Sennedjem’s painted sarcophagus is in a good conditionCredit: EPA

Skilled experts carefully removed Sennedjem from his sarcophagusCredit: EPA

Sennedjem received the same top quality mummification process as many pharoahsCredit: Reuters

Sennedjem’s sarcophagus and that of his wife’s have just been moved to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, where they were unpacked in a fumigation tent ready for restoration.

Skilled restorers conducted the unpacking process like a medical procedure.

The painted sarcophagi are said to be in very good condition.

They were previously displayed at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square in Egypt.

The mummies are being restored so they can go on display in a new exhibition hall, which opens in December.