jan 17 2021 khaled desoukiafp via getty images egypt is hoping the findings can help revive the vital tourism industry which took a fresh blow because of the covid19 pandemic just when it had begun to recover from the aftermath of uprisings and civil unrest in 2011 and 2013 more egypt unveils one of a kind discovery of hundreds of statues and mummified animals hawass said the latest discoveries in the ancient necropolis will make saqqara an important tourist and cultural destination it will also rewrite the history of saqqara during the new kingdom he added an adorned wooden sarcophagus is displayed during the official announcement of the discovery by an egyptian archaeological mission of a new trove of treasures a show more khaled desoukiafp via getty images