In Egypt, Lion Mummies Found in Cache of Sacred Animals

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)

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)

More than 40 foreign ambassadors and their wives, along with business and media people were invited for the discovery announcement. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

These mummies may belong to lion cubs, and would be the first time mummified lions have been found. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Dr. Mostafa Waziri shows a CT-scan of one of the mummies. Studies carried out on two of the mummies found a 95% probability that they are lion cubs, as indicated by the size and shape of the bones. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

A large scarab made of stone. This scarab is said to be the largest ever found. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

The discovery includes 75 wooden and bronze statues of cats of different shapes and sizes representing the ancient Egyptian goddess Bastet. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

A group of mummified cats found inside wooden boxes with lids decorated with hieroglyphic texts. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

In this display are wooden statues of animals and birds, among them the Apis bull, the mongoose, the ibis, the falcon, and the ancient Egyptian god Anubis in animal form. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Wooden statue of an ichneumon (Egyptian mongoose), and two mummies of the same animal wrapped in linen bandages, all are dating to the Late Period (664-332 B.C.). (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Crocodile mummy and four rectangular wooden crocodile coffins surmounted by a sculpted crocodile figure, all dating to the Late Period (664-332 B.C.). (H. Elrasam/VOA)

A beautifully carved statue of Neith, the goddess of war, protection, and the hunt. The Lower Egyptian deity is aptly depicted wearing the Red Crown of Lower Egypt. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Wooden and faience statues of the lioness god Sekhmet in a temporary exhibition in Saqqara, south Giza, Egypt. Saturday, November 23, 2019. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Among the findings are 73 bronze statuettes depicting god Osiris. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

A collection of faience amulets representing various deities, including Sekhmet, Horus, the jackal-headed Anubis, the ibis-headed Thoth, Ptah, and the hippopotamus-headed Taweret. Also on display, a scarab amulet, which bears depictions of various deities

Strips of papyrus dating to the Late Period, each bearing depictions of the goddess Taweret as a hippopotamus with the tail of a crocodile ,standing in front of a column of hieroglyphic writing. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Late Period amphorae and jars are among the findings displayed in a temporary exhibition in Saqqara, south Giza, Egypt. Saturday, November 23, 2019. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Wood statues of god Ptah-Sokar-Osiris, several of which bear hieroglyphic inscriptions. The statues show an anthropomorphic god standing on a wooden base and wearing a tall crown with two large feathers. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Wooden fragment with two figures carved on it. The depiction of both figures is influenced by foreign art, revealing ancient Egypt's interactions with neighboring cultures. (H. Elrasam/VOA)

Heads from Late Period wooden coffins. The skin color is pink or reddish-brown, except for one, which is blue. (H. Elrasam/VOA)