Historic find in Egypt: archaeologists come across dozens of ‘gold tongues’ along the Mediterranean coast

A team of archaeologists has uncovered 18 tombs at the archaeological site of Marina el-Alamein, an ancient city on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast about 62 miles west of Alexandria. The discovery, announced by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, has revealed dozens of remarkable funerary artifacts, including 24 gold tongue amulets, an offering altar, a granite sarcophagus, and a statue of the Greek goddess Aphrodite.

Researchers believe the tombs date to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, spanning roughly the 4th century BC to the 4th century AD. During that time, Egypt was first ruled by the descendants of Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Roman Empire. Eleven of the tombs were carved deep into the ground, while the remaining seven were built much closer to the surface.

Why did ancient Egyptians bury people with gold tongues?

Among the most unusual finds were 24 tiny gold tongue amulets placed inside the mouths of the deceased. Archaeologists say these objects carried deep religious significance in ancient Egyptian belief.

The amulets were thought to allow the dead to speak in the afterlife, particularly during their judgment before the god Osiris. They were also believed to help the deceased recite sacred formulas and communicate with the gods. One of the artifacts was even crafted in the shape of the Eye of Horus, one of ancient Egypt’s best-known symbols of divine protection.

Another significant discovery was an offering altar whose base was designed as a false door, a classic feature of Egyptian funerary architecture. These symbolic doorways were believed to connect the worlds of the living and the dead, allowing the spirit of the deceased to receive food, drink, and other offerings left behind by relatives.

What does Aphrodite have to do with an Egyptian tomb?

The excavation also uncovered an unfinished statue of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Its presence highlights the strong influence of Hellenistic culture in Egypt during the Ptolemaic dynasty and could point to the existence of nearby shrines or places of worship dedicated to the goddess.

Archaeologists also found a granite sarcophagus measuring about 8.2 feet long, with its lid still sealed when it was discovered. Experts are now studying the human remains inside in hopes of learning more about the identity, age, and status of the individual buried there.

The discoveries are expected to provide fresh insight into the religious traditions, burial customs, and cultural influences that shaped life and death in Egypt during the Ptolemaic and Roman eras.

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