Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed more than 2,000 ancient mummified sheep heads left as offerings in a temple to the pharaoh Ramses II, the tourism and antiquities ministry said.
Mummies of other animals such as dogs, goats, cows, gazelles and mongooses were also discovered by a team from New York University at Abydos, a site in southern Egypt famous for its temples and tombs.
Mostafa Waziri, head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the finds will help people know more about Ramses II and the activities which took place there from its construction.
As well as the remains of mummified animals, archaeologists discovered the remains of a palace with five-metre-thick (16 foot) walls dating to some 4,000 years ago. They also found several statues, papyri, remains of ancient trees, leather clothes and shoes.
Egypt, home to some 105 million people, is mired in an economic crisis and relies on tourism for 10 percent of GPD, employing two million people. Cairo expects to revive tourism by targeting 30 million visitors a year by 2028, compared to 13 million before the coronavirus pandemic.