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Archaeologists in southern Egypt have uncovered three ancient tombs dating back 2,000 years, the country's ministry of antiquities said on Tuesday.

The new finds are located in al-Kamin al-Sarwahi in Minya Province.

After the tombs were discovered, further excavations revealed the contents of the chambers. One tomb was found to contain four carved sarcophagi and another revealed six burial holes, including that of a child.

"These tombs were part of a large cemetery for a large city and not a military garrison as some suggest," said the project's lead archaeologist, Ali al-Bakry.

"This was the first time to find a burial of a child at the Sahrawi site," Bakry said.

Archaeological experts believe the area of the tomb was used for an extended period. Fragments of clay recovered from the tombs indicate they may have been in use during the 27th dynasty, founded in 525 BC, and the Greco-Roman era, which began over two centuries later in 332 BC.

Archaeologists have been exploring al-Kamin al-Sahrawi since 2015, when they discovered a series of ancient catacombs containing 20 tombs.

Further investigation of the tombs uncovered sarcophagi with human faces carved on them [Ministry of Antiquities]

The latest find has been hailed by the head of Ancient Egyptian antiquities as "very important".

According to the ministry, archaeological work will continue at the site in the hope that more will be uncovered.