Cairo, Feb 10 (Xinhua) An Egyptian archaeological team has found about two dozen mummies in a tomb dating back to the 3,000-year-old Pharaonic era.

The mummies were unearthed in the tomb which lies to the west of Zoser’s step pyramid in the Saqqara area. It dates back to the 6th dynasty in ancient Egypt, or about 4,300 BC, said the official MENA news agency.

According to MENA, the archaeological team, led by Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council for Antiquities Zahi Hawas, found five holes with each containing four mummies, one of which was of a dog.

They also found some skeletons and a 180-cm-long casket contained the mummy of a man named Badi Harri who lived in 640 BC, Hawas was quoted as saying.

Four more caskets of limestone were also discovered in the tomb.

“The mission will open it this week,” Hawas said, adding the team has been working in the area for more than one year.

According to the Egypt state information service, the Pharaonic era dates back to 3,000 years BC till Alexander conquered Egypt in 323 BC. During the Pharaonic era, Egypt witnessed many periods of progress and renaissance in all fields.