Mummies with gold tongues and fingernails uncovered in Egyptian tomb where they ‘spoke to God of the underworld’
MORE than a dozen Egyptian mummies embellished with gold tongues and fingernails have been uncovered by archaeologists.
Surrounded by ancient amulets, the colourful 2,000-year-old tombs were found in the Behnese area, an important archaeological site in Middle Egypt.
Scarabs for the gods Isis, Horus and Thoth and the symbol of Djed were also found, alongside ritual scenes of deities that had never been found in the region before.
The mummies are “unique” for the area, according to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that it was first time human remains have been found in Behnesa.
The 13 golden tongues and fingernails date back to the Ptolemaic era – the longest and last dynasty of ancient Egypt.
This age spanned from the year 332 to 30 BC.
Ancient Egyptians believed gold was a divine, indestructible metal, and was reserved for the most sacred religious ceremonies.
Experts believe these ornate tongues were intended to allow the dead to speak with the god of the underworld, Osiris.
Gold nails, however, are rarely found in Egyptian archaeological digs.
These adornments are thought to not only be associated with the heavenly powers of gold, but to also showcase the wealth and power of the deceased.
The joint Egyptian-Spanish excavation was led by archaeologists at the University of Barcelona and the Institute of Ancient Near East.
Pons Mellado, co-director of the University of Barcelona’s archaeological study, described the chambers are meticulously arranged, suggesting communal burial practices.
Another burial shaft led to similar chambers, one of which belonged to an individual named Wen Nefer.
This tomb was decorated with intricate and colourful wall paintings depicting Wen Nefer and his family presenting offerings to deities such as Anubis, Osiris, Atum, Horus and Thoth.
A ceiling painting shows the goddess Nut on a sacred boat and surrounded by stars carried deities such as Khepri and Ra.
The discovery “represents a major addition to the history of the area and sheds light on the religious practices prevalent in the Ptolemaic era,” the ministry wrote.
Ancient Egyptian Gods
Ancient Egyptians believed in many gods, each with their own unique power and physical form.
Of all the gods depicted in the Behnese tomb, here is what they represented to ancient humans at the time:
Isis: A magical healer who was a key deity for the dead, and cured the sick. She was also a role model for women at the time.
Horus: A god in the form of a falcon, whose right eye was the sun or morning star representing power, and whose left eye was the moon or evening star, representing healing.
Thoth: God of writing, wisdom and magic.
Anubis: A jackal-headed deity representing the god of death, who would guide souls to the afterlife.
Osiris: God of the underworld.
Djed: An ancient Egyptian symbol meaning stability, which originated from the myth of Osiris.
Atum: The creator god, and a central figure in the creation of the universe. He is associated with the entire universe, the evening sub and scarab beetles.
Nut: God of air and sky.
Khepri: A scarab-faced deity known as the sun god.
Ra: God of the sun and the creator of all other gods and humans.