Calling Indiana Jones! Mysterious 7,000 year old city discovered - but what secrets does it hold?

Burial sites bigger than those given to kings have been found.

Archaeologists have discovered a 7,000 year old city in Egypt, dating back to the earliest days of the Egyptian civilization. The settlement is a remarkable discovery that will shed light on a period about which little is known.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities has announced the discovery of an ancient city, some 7,000 years old in the province of Sohag, in the southern portion of the nation.

The discovery is important because little is known about this period in Egyptian history.

The site is located across the Nile from Luxor, formerly known as Thebes, which was the ancient capital of Egyptian civilization.

The city is thought to have been home to high-ranking officials and tomb builders, important people in the ancient period who were well paid and commanded respect. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of huts, pottery and tools as well as 15 rather large graves.

The graves are remarkable because they are even larger than some royal graves from later periods.

Archaeologists hope the discovery will shed light on a period so early in Egyptian history that little is presently known.

Officials hope the discovery inspires tourism which has been lagging since 2011 when civil unrest impacted tourism. Tourism in Egypt is down from a high of 14.7 million in 2010 to an anticipated low of under 5 million for 2016.

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