Site at ancient capital of Memphis used to mummify humans and animals nearly two and a half thousand years ago

Finds in Saqqara necropolis date back to 25th to 22nd centuries BCE, include sarcophagus that was still sealed, statues, and amulets

Researchers believe ancient Egyptians used the river's Khufu branch to move supplies in order to build the towering structures

Site contains a labyrinth of corridors, decorated with hieroglyphic carvings and tiles and a massive granite-clad sarcophagus from Egypt’s Third Dynasty

Cairo hopes newly accessible archaeological discoveries will spur tourism