Egypt's antiquities ministry says it has found a necropolis with at least 17 mummies near the southern city of Minya, the first such find in the area.

The discovery was made in the village of Tuna al-Gabal, a vast archaeological site on the edge of the western desert. The area hosts necropolises mainly for animals and birds.

Open gallery view A picture taken on May 13, 2017, shows mummies lying in catacombs following their discovery in the Touna el-Gabal district of the Minya province, in central Egypt. Credit: KHALED DESOUKI/AFP

Minister Khaled al-Anani told reporters at the site Saturday that the necropolis dates back to the pharaonic Late Kingdom and Greco-Roman periods.

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He said the find is still in a preliminary stage, and more mummies are expected to be discovered in the area.

The discovery comes as Egypt struggles to revive its tourism sector, partially driven by antiquities sightseeing, that was hit hard by political turmoil since the 2011 uprising.

Open gallery view A picture taken on May 13, 2017, shows mummies lying in catacombs following their discovery in the Touna el-Gabal district of the Minya province, in central Egypt. Credit: KHALED DESOUKI/AFP

Open gallery view Journalists gather on May 13, 2017, outside catacombs in the Touna el-Gabal district of the Minya province, in central Egypt, where Egyptian archaeologists discovered non-royal mummies Credit: KHALED DESOUKI/AFP

Open gallery view A picture taken on May 13, 2017, shows carpets leading to catacombs in the Touna el-Gabal district of the Minya province, in central Egypt, where Egyptian archaeologists discovered non-royal mummies Credit: KHALED DESOUKI/AFP

Open gallery view An armed policeman stands near a burial site that was discovered in Minya, Egypt May 13, 2017. Credit: MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY/REUTERS