MINYA, EGYPT — An Egyptian mission has found an ancient necropolis south of Cairo containing several tombs, artifacts, and a fully preserved mummy.
Reuters reports that archaeologists at the Tuna Al-Gabal site near Minya, Egypt uncovered a large number of burial shafts believed to be more than 2,000 years old.
The mummified remains of a high priest of the Egyptian god Thoth were unearthed in the tombs, along with 1,000 figurines and four canopic jars made of alabaster.
The team also found 40 limestone sarcophagi of various shapes and sizes, which may have belonged to the priest's family members.
Excavation on the site began in late 2017 and is expected to continue on for at least five years.
Egypt is planning to use the recent discoveries to revive tourism in the area, which was a popular destination for antiquities sightseeing until the political turmoil in 2011.