CAIRO, December 7. /TASS/. Scientists and archeologists have discovered no more than 30% of Ancient Egypt’s heritage so far, says Egyptologist of world renown, Zahi Hawass.

"The amount of artefacts showing what life in Ancient Egypt was like hardly constitutes 30% of the overall cultural heritage and mysteries of long-gone centuries," said Hawass, Egypt’s former Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs and Chief Inspector of the Giza Pyramid Plateau.

He predicts that monuments in Sohag province are destined to gain great popularity with foreign visitors soon to become as well-known as Giza, Luxor and Abu Simbel. Hawass believes that the already discovered historical city of Abidos and the latest discoveries near the village of Ahmim, in the Nile valley will turn great tourist attractions before long.

Just several kilometers away from Ahmim excavation of a grandiose temple is in progress. The ten-tonne head of a giant statue of Pharaoh Ramesses II has been discovered inside. Quite significantly, the temple was originally built to honor an ancient Egyptian god, Min, whose cult originated in predynastic times. The God is believed to have been the guardian of the Earth and the god of fertility, most revered by Egyptian women.