(CNN) — A large trove of ancient bronze statues and well-preserved sarcophagi discovered in Egypt's Saqqara were revealed to the public on Monday, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said in a statement.
Archaeologists had discovered relics belonging to Egyptian dynasties buried in the Saqqara necropolis in the past, but the latest find marks the first and largest unearthing of bronze statues in the area from the Late Period, or the 5th century BC.
The 150 statues discovered were modeled after pharaonic gods -- including the protector of graves, Anubis; the god of creation of day, Nefertem; and the god of the sun and air, Amun.
They were uncovered by an Egyptian archaeological mission working since 2018 in the area, which lies 18 miles south of Cairo.
