1 in 2 mummified ram heads are found in southern Egypt on December 26, 2023. — Photo: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities via AFP Mummified ram heads are found in southern Egypt on December 26, 2023. — Photo: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities via AFP
More than 2,000 mummified ram heads that date from the time of the Ptolemies were discovered in Egypt, the authorities announced this Sunday (26).
The heads of the rams were located in the temple of Ramesses II, located in the city of Abydos in southern Egypt.
Mummies of sheep, dogs, goats, cows, gazelles and mongooses were also exhumed by a team of New York University archaeologists at the same site famous for its temples and necropolis, the Department of Antiquities and Tourism said.
According to the director of the Supreme Antiquities Council, Mostafa Waziri, these discoveries will allow you to know better the Temple of Ramses II and the activities that took place between its construction during the 6th dynasty of the Old Kingdom (between 2374 and 2140 BC) and the Ptolemaic period (323 to 30 BC).
2 of 2 Detail of a mummified ram’s head found in Egypt on March 26, 2023 — Photo: Ministry of Antiquities Egypt via AFP Detail of a mummified ram’s head found in Egypt on March 26, 2023 — Photo: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities via AFP
For Professor Sameh Iskandar, head of the American mission, quoted in the same statement, these rams’ heads are “offerings” pointing to “a cult of Ramses II” celebrated centuries after his death.
In addition to the remains of mummified animals, The team discovered remains of a 6th dynasty palace with walls about five meters thickas well as various statues, papyrus, remains of centuriesold trees, clothing and leather shoes.
The town of Abydos, 550 km south of Cairo, is known for its temples, particularly that of Seti I, and its necropolis.
Egyptian authorities have been regularly announcing archaeological discoveries lately, which some experts qualify as announcing effects that have a political and economic reach rather than a scientific one.