Eight mummies discovered in Egypt

(CNN) — Cue the "Indiana Jones" theme tune: there's been another impressive archeological discovery in Egypt -- and this time it's mummies.

These sarcophagi, adorned with beautifully painted human forms, were uncovered in the southeastern area of King Amenemhat II's pyramid in Dahshur Necropolis, near the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

They've been dated back to the Pharaonic period (from 32 BC to 332 BC).

An incredibly well-preserved mummy in Egypt has been found inside a sarcophagus that is more than 3,000 years old.

Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities announced the discovery on its Facebook page -- with Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explaining that three of the mummies are in good condition.

The findings have been placed in Dahshur's storehouse for conservation. Photographs of the striking discoveries are going to exhibited in soon-to-be-opened museums in Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.

New discoveries

This ancient mummy was one of the discoveries in the Dahshur royal necropolis.

Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities via AP

Publicizing these incredible discoveries on social media is one way Egypt's trying to attract tourists.

Egyptian officials are keen to attract more visitors to the country -- its tourism numbers took a swift decline following the Arab Spring of 2011.

But in August 2018 the UN's latest Tourism Highlights Report pinpointed Egypt as the fastest growing tourist destination in 2017, thanks to a 55.1% growth in 2017 international arrivals.

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