According to a statement from the ministry, pottery and coins were also uncovered.
Culture Minister Faruk Hosni said in the statement: "An Egyptian archaeological mission working near El-Karn island on Lake Qarun in Fayoum has found a large amount of fishing tackle, sewing equipment and jewelry made from animal bone dating back to prehistoric time."
"The mission also found caves used by prehistoric man," he said.
"The most important item is an awl made of animal bone and granite, which shows that prehistoric man devised many ways to sew leather," Khaled Saad, who headed the archaeological mission that uncovered the artifacts, was quoted as saying.
The Egyptian team also discovered whale vertebrae and fossils of seals, sawfish as well as crocodile and turtle parts.
Medical equipment and weapons made of animal bone were also unearthed, he said.
"During excavation, the mission found antiquities from the Pharaonic, Greek, Roman and Islamic periods," the country’s top archaeologist Zahi Hawass said.
The team also found a rare block which dates back to 3150 BC, depicting the mythical leader known as the Scorpion King, as well as colourful mosaic plates with engravings of the Fatimid caliph Al-Zafir.
Cairo - 13/05/2009
Pana
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