History unearthed: Rare mummified lion cubs among artefacts on show at new Egyptian exhibit

The linen-wrapped animals were discovered in an archaeological cache that also included birds and crocodiles

Statues of cats are displayed at the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Egypt's Saqqara after they were excavated in a recent dig. EPA

According to the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, archaeologists found the remains of lion cubs, as well as one large animal that is believed to be a lion or lioness. EPA

The artefacts were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis. EPA

A mummified lion is displayed at the exhibition, which was unveiled on Saturday. EPA

Several mummified cats were also discovered. EPA

Radar scans are needed on three further mummies to determine if they were lions. EPA

A rare large stone scarab is also on display. EPA

The recovery of a mummified lion is rare. EPA

Egypt's Minister of Antiquities Khaled el-Anany, centre, said digs were uncovering 'hundreds of objects' in the area. EPA

The Saqqara plateau hosted at least 11 pyramids. EPA

Pharaonic masks are displayed in Saqqara, south of Cairo. EPA

Mummified cats were among the cache of animals and birds unearthed. EPA

Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities yesterday unveiled recently discovered animal mummies, saying an archaeological dig had unearthed lion cubs as well as several crocodiles, birds and cats.

Items from the new find were displayed at a makeshift exhibition at the famed Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, south of Cairo, near where mummies and other artefacts have been found in a vast necropolis.

“We are finding here hundreds of objects,” said Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Anany. “All of them are very interesting from the Egyptological point of view to know better this area.”

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).

Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, told reporters that local archaeologists found a cache that includes hundreds of mummified animals, birds and crocodiles.

He said that among the mummified animals were two lion cubs, and radar scans were needed on three others to determine that the mummies were also lions.

Archaeologists frequently find mummified cats but the recovery of a lion is rare. In 2004, the first lion skeleton was found in Saqqara, 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, which Waziri described as “the largest all over the world".

They also displayed 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. Scholars say Sekhmet (1390-1252 BC) was a goddess of war and the destroyer of the enemies of the sun god Re.

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).