ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered a mysterious tomb in Egypt filled with golden mummies.

But not only were their heads painted gold, they also had bizarre golden tongues.

Two mummified bodies in stone sarcophagi are revealed in an archaeological discovery in Minya.The remains were not only painted in gold – they also had a gold tongue Credit: Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities A gold artifact from the Roman era discovered in Minya, Egypt.Traces of gold leaf were found at the site Credit: Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Mummified remains of a person with patterned bandages unearthed from a Roman-era grave.Golden tongues were part of a special Egyptian ritual at the time Credit: Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The tomb was unearthed in ‘s historic El-Bahnasa in Minya, about 120 miles south of the capital , an area known for being rich with archaeological and spiritual wonders.

These latest digs reveal tombs dating back to the era and shed light on the types of funerals carried out by the Greco-Roman civilisation, which dominated the world more than 1,300 years ago.

Several mummies were found in wooden coffins, wrapped in linen featuring elaborate geometric patterns on them.

There are traces of gold leaf – and their heads can clearly be seen shinning in gold.

But curiously so too are their tongues.

Experts found three golden tongues and one copper tongue inside the skulls.

This is thought to be part of a special ritual, under the belief that it would allow the dead to speak in the afterlife.

It’s a common and deeply symbolic religious act that was carried out at the time.

And that’s not all archaeologists found.

A rare papyrus – used by Egyptians to write on – was discovered inside one mummy.

It featured a passage from the ancient Book II of Homer’s Iliad.

Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, celebrated these latest discoveries for revealing more about the richness and diversity of Egyptian civilisation throughout the ages.

The dig was carried out by scientists at the University of Barcelona and the Institute of the Ancient Near East.

Two ancient sarcophagi discovered in an archaeological site.Other significant objects were found too, including a rare papyrus Credit: Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

A brief history of Ancient Egypt

Here's everything you need to know...

  • The Ancient Egyptians were an advanced civilisation who at one point ruled over a huge portion of the globe
  • The civilisation was founded about 5,000 years ago when ancient people set up villages along the River Nile
  • It lasted for about 3,000 years and saw the building of complex cities centuries ahead of their time – as well as the famous Great Pyramids
  • The Ancient Egyptians were experts at farming and construction
  • They invented a solar calendar, and one of the world’s earliest writing systems: The hieroglyph
  • The Egyptians were ruled by kings and queens called pharaohs
  • Religion and the afterlife were a huge part of Ancient Egyptian culture. They had over 2,000 gods
  • Pharaohs built huge elaborate tombs to be buried in, some of which were pyramids – at the time among the largest structures in the world
  • The Egyptians believed in life after death, and important people’s corpses were mummified to preserve their bodies for the afterlife
  • The Ancient Egyptian empire fell in 30BC due to a mix of factors, including wars with other empires and a 100-year period of drought and starvation

Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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