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![Statues of cats are displayed at the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Egypt's Saqqara after they were excavated in a recent dig. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HPJH7YA2PV3QP6ZW63AXVWWJ34.jpg?smart=true&auth=7a28aee20a423123722352ed5fedc6b9859bbc3e7ef18f46fe902401965182d8&width=400&height=225)
![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](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UPVJO2EE7VWUIGBEZBD73JX3TU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d79e984fedb68a350ee08a53c86879930c475f3e9f4eeb5d50b8f3e94e6d84f&width=400&height=225)
![The artefacts were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HWNT4CGMBM5I6G5AOVFHFXWVTE.jpg?smart=true&auth=752eef2f7fd2430a18ab6ddc07f44b669e27792ae9cc1976f3be659fcee1519b&width=400&height=225)
![A mummified lion is displayed at the exhibition, which was unveiled on Saturday. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IAF6JKPS2AZ2UIGG5IVX3WRMKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=561291266cca5094fac9273ddaece7b378345ecd2f0f9eba1d4d47f8848b3440&width=400&height=225)
![Several mummified cats were also discovered. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OUSDK4SV2L7WOZYJOQBU5IHEXM.jpg?smart=true&auth=aaa08cd80a043d457c6f50e0753fc87b2c8c468b693d9b151e055e50a4b2a7cd&width=400&height=225)
![Radar scans are needed on three further mummies to determine if they were lions. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RHD2DZDQEWDWZWS5SBSYEST6UA.jpg?smart=true&auth=779756d804e70bdb691bf6f2386c6ca01acd6eedaee46b83d9a04bffd802697a&width=400&height=225)
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![Mummified cats were among the cache of animals and birds unearthed. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HZCJTFC76NMTICFKKD7UIQ6OAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=b4032e97c9410882c597730575276ab881af4376ce12919d9bac6c446fae2bc2&width=400&height=225)
![Statues of cats are displayed at the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Egypt's Saqqara after they were excavated in a recent dig. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HPJH7YA2PV3QP6ZW63AXVWWJ34.jpg?smart=true&auth=7a28aee20a423123722352ed5fedc6b9859bbc3e7ef18f46fe902401965182d8&width=400&height=225)
![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](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UPVJO2EE7VWUIGBEZBD73JX3TU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d79e984fedb68a350ee08a53c86879930c475f3e9f4eeb5d50b8f3e94e6d84f&width=400&height=225)
![The artefacts were discovered at Saqqara Necropolis. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HWNT4CGMBM5I6G5AOVFHFXWVTE.jpg?smart=true&auth=752eef2f7fd2430a18ab6ddc07f44b669e27792ae9cc1976f3be659fcee1519b&width=400&height=225)
![A mummified lion is displayed at the exhibition, which was unveiled on Saturday. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IAF6JKPS2AZ2UIGG5IVX3WRMKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=561291266cca5094fac9273ddaece7b378345ecd2f0f9eba1d4d47f8848b3440&width=400&height=225)
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![Radar scans are needed on three further mummies to determine if they were lions. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RHD2DZDQEWDWZWS5SBSYEST6UA.jpg?smart=true&auth=779756d804e70bdb691bf6f2386c6ca01acd6eedaee46b83d9a04bffd802697a&width=400&height=225)
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![Egypt's Minister of Antiquities Khaled el-Anany, centre, said digs were uncovering 'hundreds of objects' in the area. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RNZXEB2GHI5LODQ2UMQT2HKJBM.jpg?smart=true&auth=3bc997d1d5b524bbbd606ee79656a8d59693bf9398457e9451489e5f24256f8b&width=400&height=225)
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![Mummified cats were among the cache of animals and birds unearthed. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HZCJTFC76NMTICFKKD7UIQ6OAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=b4032e97c9410882c597730575276ab881af4376ce12919d9bac6c446fae2bc2&width=400&height=225)
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
AP
November 24, 2019
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