Two lion cubs were among a collection of mummified animals discovered in a vast necropolis in Saqqara, Egypt.

The rare finds, which included several crocodiles, birds, cats, cobras, and mongooses, were unveiled by the Ministry of Antiquities on Saturday.

Wooden and tin-glazed statuettes of the war goddess Sekhmet, represented as a woman with the head of a lioness, were also displayed along with cat statues representing the ancient goddess Bastet.

A rare large stone scarab was described by Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, as “the largest all over the world”.

Markings on the artefacts, exhibited at the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, showed that they dated back to the Late Period (664-332 BC).

Mummified animals discovered in Egyptian necropolis Show all 11 1 /11 Mummified animals discovered in Egyptian necropolis Mummified animals discovered in Egyptian necropolis AFP-1MI5FP.jpg The mummies of cats and other felines are displayed after the announcement of a new discovery carried out by an Egyptian archaeological team in Giza's Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo, on November 23, 2019. - Egypt today unveiled a cache of 75 wooden and bronze statues and five lion cub mummies decorated with hieroglyphics at the Saqqara necropolis near the Giza pyramids in Cairo. Mummified cats, cobras, crocodiles and scarabs were also unearthed among the well-preserved mummies and other objects discovered recently. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images) KHALED DESOUKI AFP via Getty Images Mummified animals discovered in Egyptian necropolis lion-cub-mummy.jpg epa08018987 A mummified lion is displayed after it was excavated in Saqqara, south of Cairo, Egypt, 23 November 2019. According to Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, archaeologists found the remains of mummified cats including one large animal that is believed to be a lion or lioness at Saqqara Necropolis. The archaeological team also found a number of mummified animal and birds and dozens of statues in different sizes and shapes. EPA/MOHAMED HOSSAM MOHAMED HOSSAM Mohamed Hossam/EPA Mummified animals discovered in Egyptian necropolis 08018992.jpg epa08018992 A mummified lion is displayed after it was excavated in Saqqara, south of Cairo, Egypt, 23 November 2019. According to Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, archaeologists found the remains of mummified cats including one large animal that is believed to be a lion or lioness at Saqqara Necropolis. The archaeological team also found a number of mummified animal and birds and dozens of statues in different sizes and shapes. EPA/MOHAMED HOSSAM MOHAMED HOSSAM EPA Mummified animals discovered in Egyptian necropolis AFP-1MI5C7.jpg A crocodile mummy is displayed after the announcement of a new discovery carried out by an Egyptian archaeological team in Giza's Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo, on November 23, 2019. - Egypt today unveiled a cache of 75 wooden and bronze statues and five lion cub mummies decorated with hieroglyphics at the Saqqara necropolis near the Giza pyramids in Cairo. Mummified cats, cobras, crocodiles and scarabs were also unearthed among the well-preserved mummies and other objects discovered recently. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images) KHALED DESOUKI AFP via Getty Images Mummified animals discovered in Egyptian necropolis AFP-1MI58K.jpg The mummy of a cat is displayed after the announcement of a new discovery carried out by an Egyptian archaeological team in Giza's Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo, on November 23, 2019. - Egypt today unveiled a cache of 75 wooden and bronze statues and five lion cub mummies decorated with hieroglyphics at the Saqqara necropolis near the Giza pyramids in Cairo. Mummified cats, cobras, crocodiles and scarabs were also unearthed among the well-preserved mummies and other objects discovered recently. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images) KHALED DESOUKI AFP via Getty Images Mummified animals discovered in Egyptian necropolis AFP-1MI5K2.jpg The mummy of a feline is displayed after the announcement of a new discovery carried out by an Egyptian archaeological team in Giza's Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo, on November 23, 2019. - Egypt today unveiled a cache of 75 wooden and bronze statues and five lion cub mummies decorated with hieroglyphics at the Saqqara necropolis near the Giza pyramids in Cairo. Mummified cats, cobras, crocodiles and scarabs were also unearthed among the well-preserved mummies and other objects discovered recently. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images) KHALED DESOUKI AFP via Getty Images Mummified animals discovered in Egyptian necropolis AFP-1MI5J2.jpg Statues of cats are displayed after the announcement of a new discovery carried out by an Egyptian archaeological team in Giza's Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo, on November 23, 2019. - Egypt today unveiled a cache of 75 wooden and bronze statues and five lion cub mummies decorated with hieroglyphics at the Saqqara necropolis near the Giza pyramids in Cairo. Mummified cats, cobras, crocodiles and scarabs were also unearthed among the well-preserved mummies and other objects discovered recently. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images) KHALED DESOUKI AFP via Getty Images Mummified animals discovered in Egyptian necropolis AFP-1MI5IX.jpg The head of cat statue is displayed after the announcement of a new discovery carried out by an Egyptian archaeological team in Giza's Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo, on November 23, 2019. - Egypt today unveiled a cache of 75 wooden and bronze statues and five lion cub mummies decorated with hieroglyphics at the Saqqara necropolis near the Giza pyramids in Cairo. Mummified cats, cobras, crocodiles and scarabs were also unearthed among the well-preserved mummies and other objects discovered recently. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images) KHALED DESOUKI AFP via Getty Images Mummified animals discovered in Egyptian necropolis AFP-1MI5FO.jpg Visitors observe mummies of cats and other felines displayed after the announcement of a new discovery carried out by an Egyptian archaeological team in Giza's Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo, on November 23, 2019. - Egypt today unveiled a cache of 75 wooden and bronze statues and five lion cub mummies decorated with hieroglyphics at the Saqqara necropolis near the Giza pyramids in Cairo. Mummified cats, cobras, crocodiles and scarabs were also unearthed among the well-preserved mummies and other objects discovered recently. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images) KHALED DESOUKI AFP via Getty Images Mummified animals discovered in Egyptian necropolis AFP-1MI5EF.jpg The statue of a scarab is displayed after the announcement of a new discovery carried out by an Egyptian archaeological team in Giza's Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo, on November 23, 2019. - Egypt today unveiled a cache of 75 wooden and bronze statues and five lion cub mummies decorated with hieroglyphics at the Saqqara necropolis near the Giza pyramids in Cairo. Mummified cats, cobras, crocodiles and scarabs were also unearthed among the well-preserved mummies and other objects discovered recently. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images) KHALED DESOUKI AFP via Getty Images Mummified animals discovered in Egyptian necropolis 08018988.jpg epaselect epa08018988 A mummified cat is displayed after it was excavated in Saqqara, south of Cairo, Egypt, 23 November 2019. According to Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, archaeologists found the remains of mummified cats including one large animal that is believed to be a lion or lioness at Saqqara Necropolis. The archaeological team also found a number of mummified animal and birds and dozens of statues in different sizes and shapes. EPA/MOHAMED HOSSAM MOHAMED HOSSAM EPA

“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.”

Two mummies of ichneumon, or the Egyptian mongoose, were also unveiled, wrapped in linen bandages.

There were also strips of papyrus with depictions of the goddess Taweret depicted as a hippopotamus with the tail of a crocodile.

The two lion cubs were found close to the site of the discovery of an adult lion skeleton in Saqqara in 2004.

Radar scans are being carried out to determine whether three other mummified animals are also lions.

The Saqqara area hosts at least 11 pyramids along with hundreds of tombs of ancient officials ranging from the 1st Dynasty (2920-2770 BC) to the Coptic period (395-642).

Egypt has sought to promote its archaeological discoveries in an attempt to boost tourism following the country’s civil war in 2011.

Last month the antiquities ministry revealed a 2,200-year-old Egyptian temple had been uncovered on the bank of the Nile, and in July King Sneferu’s 4,600-year-old “bent” pyramid was opened to the public.