Archaeology News: Egyptian mummy covered in golden foliage could be the oldest ever discovered

 

Egyptian mummy covered in golden foliage could be the oldest ever discovered

The mummy, found with three others, is thought to be one of the best-preserved and oldest discovered in Egypt.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF, JANUARY 29, 2023

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-729935

 'Golden boy’ mummy (credit: CAIRO EGYPTIAN MUSEUM VIA FRONTIERS)

One of the oldest and best-preserved mummies to ever be found was recently discovered in Saqqara, Egypt. His name was Hekashepes.

Dr. Zahi Hawass, lead archaeologist and former antiquities minister, dated the finds from roughly the 25th-22nd century BCE. Dr. Hawass said on Facebook, "This mummy may be the oldest and most complete mummy found in Egypt to date."

The mummy was found, covered in gold leaf, down a 50ft shaft with three other tombs. It is believed that the sarcophagi have not been opened for around 4,300 years.

Egypt: 'Possibly the oldest, most complete' 4,300-year-old mummy found

The other finds

The other mummies found are thought to be an ancient Egyptian priest named Khnumdjedef, a senior palace official named Meri and a judge and writer named Fetek.

Meri’s official duties would have included performing religious rituals and acting as a “secret keeper.”

Archaeologists also found a number of precious amulets, a false door, pottery and some of the largest statues to have ever been found.

A little over 10 meters below the original find, the team discovered a collection of wooden statues and an altar for ritualistic offerings.

The teenage mummy digitally unwrapped in four stages. Pic: SN Saleem, SA Seddik, M el-Halwagy

The significance of the mummies

Mummies of non-royal descent are rarely found. Even rarer they are found in as well-preserved condition as the mummies found during this discovery.

In describing the importance of the discovery, Archeologist Abu Deshish is reported to have said, “This discovery is so important as it connects the kings with the people living around them." 

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