Nah, I'm not referring to the 2001 Universal Pictures adventure fantasy horror movie which was starred by Brendan Fraser; but to the newest archaeological found in Egypt. Yes! It's the authentic one; not just a mummy, but lots of "mummies."

Archaeologist found a total of 59 sarcophagi (plural form of sarcophagus) in a vast ancient necropolis in Saqqara, near the Egypt's capital, Cairo. The experts believed that those ornate sarcophagi remained to be unopened for more than 2,500 years, and stay buried near the famed 4,700 years old step pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara until the discovery. One of those unspoiled mummified body had found out of that an ancient priest, others were senior statesman and prominent figures in the ancient Egyptian society of the 26th dynasty.

Minister Khaled al-Anani, Minister of Antiquities and Tourism, showed a footage of colorful sarcophagi decorated with ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Other artifacts and at least 28 statues were found in two deep wells, the ministry said. Other finds was a bronze figurine depicting Nefertem, an ancient god of the lotus blossom. Mummified animals: cats, crocodile, birds, were also found near the site last year.

The site where the mummies found was known as an ancient necropolis(ancient burial site) of an Egyptian capital, Memphis; a UNESCO heritage site.

There's more to come.

A sealed door was also unearthed where it is expected more mummies may lie behind. Imagine, if they happen to find an army of mummies just like the terracotta armies in China, but with true preserved human cadavers. That would be creepy, I guess.

Boosting the nation's tourism.

Minister Khaled al-Anani the first Minister of Antiquities and Tourism, adding that the artifacts were in an excellent state of preservation and would be displayed in the Grand Egyptian museum next year.

The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which has been delayed several times, is planned for 2021.

The museum will host thousands of artifacts, spanning multiple eras of Egypt’s history, from the pre-dynastic to the Greco-Roman period.

Egypt hopes a flurry of archaeological finds in recent years and the new museum will boost its vital tourism sector, which has suffered multiple shocks since the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, most recently the corona virus pandemic.

Thank you for reading.

Lead image source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1241954