The golden tongues discovered in the tombs. (Image: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities)
Scientists have discovered 52 ancient Mummies which date back to 2,000 years ago.
Over a dozen of these have been found with rare golden tongues, which were believed to enable the deceased to speak in the afterlife.
A team of from Barcelona University and the Institute of the Ancient Near East in Germany found the uncoverings near the Egyptian city of modern-day Al-Bahnasa.
The never-before-seen 52 tombs were side-by-side, indicating a communal burial. Alongside the Mummies, a plethora of artefacts were discovered, including ritual texts, colourful inscriptions and artwork, scarabs and amulets, canopic jars, and golden fingernails, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
:
Al-Bahnasa Tombs. (Image: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities)
However, the detection of gold in Egyptian tombs is now a rarity due to the prevalence of looting by grave robbers over the centuries.
The tombs date back to the Ptolemaic era (305 B.C. to 30 B.C.) in the ancient city of Oxyrhynchus. “These findings provide new insights into the religious practices and funerary traditions of the Ptolemaic era in Al-Bahnasa,” said Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, according to Ahram.
The team of archaeologists initially found a rectangular stone burial shaft that opened to a main hall with three separate burial chambers, where the Mummies were arranged.
:
In all, the 52 mummies from the Ptolemaic era were found as part of a larger collection of roughly 300 mummies. The site featured four fully intact limestone sarcophagi (coffins often displayed above ground).
The golden detailing found in the tombs was linked to different deities. Maite Mascourt, co-leader of the archaeologists’ team, told Popular Mechanics: “These vibrant scenes offer an unprecedented glimpse into the region’s ancient funerary art.”
The ceilings in the chambers were also painted with artwork showcasing a variety of gods and goddesses, including the sky goddess Nut surrounded by stars and boats carrying other gods.