The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities revealed details of a newly discovered cache of sacred animal mummies, which includes two lion cubs as well as several crocodiles, birds, and cats. The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Mostafa Waziri said it is the first time Egyptologists have found mummified lions. He also said the stone scarab is the biggest in the world.
In Egypt, Lion Mummies Found in Cache of Sacred Animals
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An Egyptian archaeological mission, working at the sacred animals' necropolis in Saqqara, has found dozens of statues, mummified cats and meticulously mummified scarab beetles along with other mummies of cobras and crocodiles. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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In a makeshift exhibition in Saqqara, near the Step Pyramid, the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities displayed some of the sacred animals from the cache. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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More than 40 foreign ambassadors and their wives, along with business and media people were invited for the discovery announcement. (H. Elrasam/VOA)
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These mummies may belong to lion cubs, and would be the first time mummified lions have been found. (H. Elrasam/VOA)