The country’s antiquities minister, Khaled Al-Anani, called 2017 a “historic year” for archaeological discoveries. “It’s as if it’s a message from our ancestors who are lending us a hand to help bring tourists back,” he said at a news conference on Saturday.

Egypt’s tourism industry has struggled in recent years. About 5.4 million visitors came to the country in 2016, down from 14.7 million in 2010.

The country has had some significant finds this year, including a large statue of an Egyptian ruler found in Cairo in March.