Egyptian nobleman unearthed in 3,500-year-old-tomb

April 19 (UPI) -- Egyptian archaeologists unearthed eight mummies Tuesday in a 3,500-year-old tomb, the Ministry of Antiquities announced.

The 18th Dynasty tomb belonged to a nobleman named Userhat a nobleman who worked as the city judge during the New Kingdom period between 1570–1544 BC, the ministry said.

The latest in a series of major discoveries of ancient relics included 10 colorful sarcophagi and numerous figurines.

"This is an important discovery," Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Enany told reporters outside the tomb. "We found a large number of Ushabti (small carved figurines), more than 1,000 of them."

The archaeological mission working in the Draa Abul Nagaa necropolis near the Valley of the Kings continues working "to reveal the secrets" of the tomb, the ministry said.