Authorities in Egypt have revealed a rare discovery of animal mummies including lion cubs, crocodiles, birds and cats.
The Antiquities Ministry described the new find as ‘’a whole museum on itself.’’
The items were displayed for the first time at a makeshift exhibition at the famed Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, south of Cairo.
The Saqqara plateau hosted at least 11 pyramids, including the Step Pyramid, along with hundreds of tombs of ancient officials, ranging from the 1st Dynasty 2920 BC-2770 BC to the Coptic period 395-642.
The first lion skeleton was found in Saqqara In 2004, revealing the sacred status of the animal in ancient times.
Archaeologists also found wooden and bronze cat statues representing the ancient goddess Bastet and a rare large stone scarab.
Also displayed were two mummies of ichneumon, or the Egyptian mongoose, wrapped in linen bandages and wooden and tin-glazed statuettes of the goddess Sekhmet, represented as a woman with the head of a lioness.
There were also strips of papyrus with depictions of the goddess Taweret depicted as a hippopotamus with the tail of a crocodile.
Markings on the displayed artefacts show that they date back to the Late Period 664-332 BC.
The Saqqara discovery is the latest in a series of new finds that Egypt has sought to publicize in an effort to revive its key tourism sector.
