Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
The mummies were found in a burial pit. The presence of the golden tongues indicates that the individuals in question belonged to the elite.
During excavations at the Oxyrhynchus archaeological site in Egypt, researchers unearthed 13 mummies adorned with golden tongues and nails.
The finds, which date back to the Ptolemaic period (304 to 30 BC), provide a fascinating glimpse into the burial customs and beliefs of ancient Egypt.
The Ptolemaic dynasty, founded by one of Alexander the Great’s generals, is known for its unique fusion of Greek and Egyptian traditions.
The mummies were found inside a burial shaft that led to a hall with three chambers. Inside, dozens of human remains and 29 intricately designed amulets were discovered.
The amulets were shaped like scarabs – symbolizing the movement of the sun across the sky – and several Egyptian deities, such as Horus, Thoth and Isis. Some amulets combined characteristics of several gods, highlighting the complexity of ancient Egyptian theology.
Golden tongues have previously been discovered in Oxyrhynchus, but the high number of this latest find is particularly impressive.
Archaeologists believe these gold artifacts were intended to allow the deceased talk about life after deatha practice rooted in the belief that gold was “the flesh of the gods,” explains .
According to Salima Ikram, professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo, the prevalence of golden tongues could indicate that the mummies belonged to elite individuals linked to temples and animal cults in the region.
In addition to the mummies and amulets, the excavation revealed exquisite wall paintings. Among them, a representation of “Wen-Nefer”, the owner of the tomb, accompanied by various Egyptian deitiesas well as a celestial painting on the ceiling, with the sky goddess Nut surrounded by stars.
Another image shows a boat carrying various deities, showing the richness of ancient Egyptian art.
The Spanish-Egyptian archaeological mission at Oxyrhynchus, which made these significant discoveries, represents a fundamental collaboration in preserving and understanding Egypt’s ancient heritage. It is hoped that new analyzes and studies will reveal even more about these enigmatic burials.
