December
25
/ 2024
Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered 13 ancient mummies adorned with gold tongues in a cemetery at Oxyrhynchus, an archaeological site rich with Ptolemaic and Roman-era artifacts. The mummies, dating back to the Ptolemaic period (circa 304–30 BC), were found in a burial shaft containing a hall with three chambers, reports the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities. The find offers a glimpse into the intricate beliefs and rituals of ancient Egyptians regarding the afterlife. The use of gold tongues was part of a funerary practice where the deceased were provided with golden replacements for their tongues to help them speak before the gods in the afterlife. Gold, considered the “flesh of the gods,” symbolized divine power and purity. Two Oxyrhynchus
