Cairo, 21 December: Archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery in Oxyrhynchus, an ancient site in Egypt, unearthing 13 mummies adorned with golden tongues and fingernails. The burial site, located in Al-Bahnasa within Minya Governorate, also contained ritual artifacts, golden amulets, and vibrant wall paintings featuring depictions of Egyptian deities.
According to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the mummies date back to the Ptolemaic period (304 BC–30 BC). The golden tongues, made to help the deceased communicate in the afterlife, reflect the belief that gold represented “the flesh of the gods.”
The addition of golden fingernails—a feature not seen before in other mummies—makes this discovery unprecedented in the region.
The mummies were discovered at the bottom of a burial shaft leading to chambers with elaborate funerary decorations. Archaeologists also found 29 golden amulets, including several in the shape of scarabs, symbols associated with protection and regeneration in ancient Egyptian mythology. A vibrant wall painting featuring Nut, the sky goddess surrounded by stars, was among the site’s most captivating elements.
Egyptologist Francesco Tiradritti from D’Annunzio University in Italy commented on the artwork: “The precision and richness of the colors are extraordinary. It’s rare to find paintings this well-preserved after such a long period.”
The ornate burial arrangement suggests that the individuals were high-ranking members of society. “They were probably connected to temple activities and animal cults, given their association with golden artifacts and burial rituals,” said Salima Ikram, a professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo, during an interview with Live Science.
This discovery adds to Egypt’s growing list of archaeological findings this year. Earlier in 2024, a joint Egyptian-American mission uncovered 11 tombs near South Asasif, on Luxor’s West Bank. These contained the remains of men, women, and children, believed to be part of a family grave used over generations during the 12th and 13th Dynasties.
The excavation at Al-Bahnasa offers fresh perspectives on Ptolemaic-era funerary practices and highlights the continuing importance of ancient Egyptian beliefs in death and the afterlife. Each discovery deepens modern understanding of Egypt’s cultural and religious traditions, emphasizing the social and spiritual significance of its historic sites.