Archaeologists discover a Roman cemetery in Egypt: mummies with gold tongues

Egypt is likely one of the countries where it is easiest to find an archaeological site, especially when excavating in areas near the capital, Cairo. So, it should come as no surprise that news has emerged of a new discovery.

Archaeologists from the University of Barcelona and the Institut del Pròxim Orient Antic (IPOA) have uncovered a cemetery containing mummies from the Roman period in the Al Bahnasa area, roughly 118 miles south of the capital. According to the researchers, the discovery provides new insights into Greco-Roman funerary practices.

Among the remains found during the excavation, led by Dr. Maite Mascort and Dr. Esther Pons Mellado, are Roman mummies, some wrapped in coverings decorated with geometric patterns, painted wooden sarcophagi, and metal elements such as gold and copper tongues that were used in funerary rituals.

Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, emphasized that this discovery adds to other recent finds in the Al Minya province. He noted that it “reflects the richness and diversity of Egyptian civilization across the ages.” Hesham Al Leizy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stated that the site offers new perspectives on funerary rituals in the city of Al Bahnasa during the Greco-Roman periods.

In addition, a papyrus containing text from Book Two of Homer’s Iliad was found inside one of the mummies. Specifically, it includes the so-called “Catalogue of Ships,” which lists the Greek participants in the campaign against Troy. The presence of this text, adds an important literary and historical dimension to this area Al Leizy added.

Three chambers with human remains

The excavation resulted in the opening of a trench with three distinct chambers constructed from limestone. In the first, researchers found the remains of a cremated individual, along with the bones of an infant and the head of a feline, all wrapped in pieces of fabric. In the second chamber, the remains of two people were discovered, along with the bones of an animal of the same species.

In the third chamber, identified as number 65, gold and copper tongues were recovered alongside Roman mummies, even though this underground chamber had been damaged by past looting.

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