CAIRO, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- An ancient necropolis has been discovered near Minya city, south of the capital Cairo on the western bank of the Nile River, according to Egypt's Antiquities Ministry.

Archaeologists found tombs belonging to priests of the Egyptian god Thoth, the god of wisdom and magic in ancient Egypt.

The necropolis contained 40 stone coffins and small statues. The discovery also included burial shafts dating from the Pharaonic Late Period and the Ptolemaic dynasty.

Egypt's Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani said it is only the beginning of a new discovery and a new archaeological attraction will soon be added to Middle Egypt.