Ptolemaic Period’s Mummies With Nails And Tongues Of Gold Among Unique Remains Unearthed At Ancient City Of Oxyrhynchus, Egypt

Conny Waters - AncientPages.com - Archaeologists have finished their latest excavations at Oxyrhynchus, an ancient city and archaeological site in Egypt with exceptional historical and archaeological findings.

Set of amulets and cor scarabs. Image source

The Oxyrhynchus Archaeological Mission, led by the Institute of the Ancient Near East of the University of Barcelona (IPOA, UB, Dr. Ignasi-Xavier Adiego, carried out the diggings between November and December 2024 .

Among the most significant discoveries are fifty-two mummies from the Ptolemaic period, of which thirteen were found with gold tongues placed in their mouths. This ancient  practice is understood to symbolize preparation for the afterlife, reflecting the intricate burial customs of that era.

Among the mummies discovered, one was found with two gold tongues, while another featured a small gold plaque adorning its fingernails.

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

From this site, numerous objects of significant value have been unearthed, including a heart scarab preserved in its original location and amulets depicting Egyptian deities such as Horus, Thoth, and Isis. Additionally, a terracotta representation of the god Harpocrates was also recovered.

The excavations have additionally uncovered the structure of a tomb dating back to the Ptolemaic period, which houses approximately three hundred mummies.

Dotze gold plates that cover the nails. Credit: University of Barcelona

This tomb is distinguished by its three burial chambers and a vaulted ceiling, with walls adorned with polychrome texts and scenes illustrating funeral rituals alongside divine figures such as Anubis, Osiris, Atum, and Nut.

Furthermore, within this same context, four limestone sarcophagi have been discovered.

One of the significant achievements of the campaign has been the resumption of excavations at the Coptic monastery of Saint Cyriacus, a Christian basilica originating from between the 5th and 7th centuries. This substantial edifice, adorned with intricate sycamore decorations, provides valuable insights into understanding the monastic movement in Egypt during the early centuries of Christianity.

It also sheds light on the economic and administrative roles that monasteries played during that era.

Anubis with the deceased and the goddesses Isis and Nephthys. Image source

The mission, under the leadership of Drs. Esther Pons and Maite Mascort, receives support from the Ministry of Culture, the University of Barcelona, the Palarq Foundation, the Catalan Society of Egyptology, and AIXA Serveis Arqueològics. Additionally, it benefits from collaboration with the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt and the University of Cairo.

The discoveries made through this initiative not only enhance Egypt's archaeological heritage but also provide fresh insights into the ritual practices and beliefs prevalent during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.

These groundbreaking discoveries, born from decades of relentless effort at Oxyrhynchus, strongly underscore the University of Barcelona's unwavering dedication to achieving excellence in archaeological research. They also highlight our commitment to preserving the universal cultural heritage that enriches us all. This is a compelling reason to support and invest in such invaluable endeavors.

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Written by Conny Waters - AncientPages.com Staff Writer