27 May 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Golden Tongues and Nails discovered on mummies from the Ptolemaic Period in Egypt

Archaeologists have uncovered tombs decorated with colorful inscriptions and ritual scenes, as well as unusual mummies and unique funerary objects, including 13 striking golden tongues and nails, at the Al-Bahnasa archaeological site in Egypt’s Minya governorate.

The Oxyrhynchus Archaeological Mission, led by the Institute of Ancient Near East Studies of the University of Barcelona (IPOA), under the direction of Ignasi-Xavier Adiego, has concluded its latest campaign with unique remains, which allow us to deepen our knowledge of funerary practices, religious life and monastic activity in Ancient Egypt.

Among the notable firsts, these are the first human remains and the first texts and ritual scenes of goddesses of their kind in the Al-Bahansa region. These artifacts, along with elaborate burial customs, provide valuable insights into Ptolemaic religious beliefs.

Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, described the findings as “a major addition to the history of the region,” emphasizing their uniqueness to the Al-Bahnasa area.

Excavations at the discovery site. Credit: University of Barcelona
Excavations at the discovery site. Credit: University of Barcelona

Among the most remarkable discoveries are 52 Ptolemaic period mummies, 13 of which had golden tongues in their mouths, symbolizing preparation for the afterlife. One mummy had two golden tongues, and another’s fingernails were adorned with a gold plate. Recovered from the same location were valuable items like a terracotta of the god Harpocrates, amulets featuring Egyptian deities like Thoth, Isis, and Horus, and a heart scarab in its original position.

Excavations also revealed the structure of a Ptolemaic-era tomb containing some 300 mummies. This tomb, with three burial chambers and a vaulted ceiling, is remarkable for its walls decorated with texts and polychrome scenes depicting funerary rituals and divine figures such as Anubis, Osiris, Atum, and Nut. Some of these amulets combined the symbolism of multiple deities, an unusual finding in the region. In addition, four limestone sarcophagi have been discovered in the same context.

Dr. Esther Pons Mellado, the Spanish mission leader, explained that one of the discovered tombs includes a rectangular well leading to a main room with three funerary chambers.

One of the panels with decoration found, the boat of Ra. Credit: University of Barcelona
One of the panels with decoration found, the boat of Ra. Credit: University of Barcelona

According to Dr. Esther Pons Mellado, the Spanish mission leader, these chambers contained dozens of mummies, arranged meticulously, suggesting communal burial practices. Another burial shaft led to similarly decorated chambers, one of which belonged to an individual identified as “Wen Nefer.” On one of its walls, the tomb owner is depicted with his family offering offerings to deities such as Anubis, Osiris, Atum, and Horus.

The ceiling is decorated with the goddess Nut, surrounded by stars and sacred boats carrying deities like Khepri, Ra, and Atum, against a bright blue background.

Set of amulets and gold scarabs. Credit: University of Barcelona
Set of amulets and gold scarabs. Credit: University of Barcelona

The presence of a thin layer of gold on the face of a mummy, depicted as if embalmed by the god Anubis, demonstrates the delicate nature of the funerary work. Figures of the goddesses Isis and Nephthys have the same golden finish. The tomb also housed four limestone sarcophagi.

The mission also noted that earlier excavations had already found a Byzantine basilica, a temple devoted to Osiris, and tombs from the Saite, Greco-Roman, and Roman periods.

Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt

Cover Image Credit: University of Barcelona

Related Articles

Egypt opens King Djoser’s 4,500-year-old tomb after a 15-year restoration

15 September 2021

15 September 2021

Egypt on Tuesday showcased an ancient tomb structure belonging to the cemetery complex of King Djoser, a pharaoh who lived more than 4,500...

Scandinavia’s first farmers slaughtered the hunter-gatherer population, according to a new study

9 February 2024

9 February 2024

Following the arrival of the first farmers in Scandinavia 5,900 years ago, the hunter-gatherer population was wiped out within a...

Two rock chambers thought to be dining rooms unearthed at ‘House of Muses’ in southeastern Turkey

27 July 2021

27 July 2021

House of Muses, a Roman-era house named after the muse mosaics found in the area located in the ancient city...

Where We Saw Sin, There Was Care: A Baby Buried in a Medieval Belgian Brothel

23 May 2025

23 May 2025

A medieval brothel in Belgium yields a discovery that forces historians to confront forgotten tenderness in places long seen only...

Manot Cave yielded evidence for ritualistic gathering 35,000 years ago, the earliest on the Asian continent

13 January 2025

13 January 2025

Archaeological research at the Manot Cave in what is now the Galilee in northern Israel has uncovered evidence of ritualistic...

First Human Figurine of the Mesolithic Era (Circa 9000 Years Old) Discovered in Azerbaijan’s Damjili Cave

19 April 2025

19 April 2025

A groundbreaking discovery has been made in the Damjili Cave in Azerbaijan’s Gazakh district: the first human figurine from the...

The University of Aberdeen is to Return a Benin Bronze

5 April 2021

5 April 2021

Since Nigeria gained independence in 1960, Nigeria has been calling for the return of stolen Benin bronzes (including brass reliefs,...

South Ockendon’s Belhus Park Golf Course: A Tudor Garden Discovered

15 July 2021

15 July 2021

Under a golf course, the ruins of Tudor and Jacobean gardens were unearthed. Aerial images of Belhus Park Golf Course...

Beer remains that are 9,000 years old have been discovered in China’s unique Hu pots

3 September 2021

3 September 2021

Archaeologists in southeast China have discovered evidence of beer consumption in ceramic vessels at the burial site called Qiaotou. The...

Archaeologists Uncover Roman London’s First Basilica Beneath an Office Basement

13 February 2025

13 February 2025

Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery beneath an office building in London, unearthing a substantial section of the ancient city’s...

1,800-year-old Roman remains discovered in valley of eastern Turkey

21 February 2022

21 February 2022

Roman remains dating back 1800 years have been found in a valley in eastern Turkey. Among the Roman ruins found...

Pendants and beads reveal nine European Cultures living across the continent 30,000 years ago

1 February 2024

1 February 2024

In a new study, researchers have constructed a continent-wide database of personal ornaments worn by Europeans 34,000-24,000 years ago, a...

Academics Uncover Ancient Roman Physicians Galen’s Pharmacy Legacy in İzmir

27 February 2024

27 February 2024

As a part of research on medicinal plants in Bergama, İzmir’s historic district where Galen (129 AD -200 AD) once...

A 42,000-year-old pendant found in northern Mongolia may be the earliest known phallic art

20 June 2023

20 June 2023

An international team of researchers has found a pendant in northern Mongolia that may be the earliest known example of...

A first in 35 years! Child grave with bracelets and gifts found in ancient city of Kelenderis

25 June 2022

25 June 2022

During this year’s excavations in the ancient city of Kelenderis, founded on the Mediterranean coast in the southern province of...