An Egyptian-Spanish archaeological team has uncovered a rare Roman-era tomb in Egypt’s Minya Governorate, where golden tongues placed with the dead are offering new insight into ancient burial beliefs.
The mission, led by Dr. Maite Mascort and Dr. Ester Pons Mellado from the University of Barcelona and the Institute of the Ancient Near East, discovered at the El-Bahnasa site, known in antiquity as Oxyrhynchus.
Mummies and coffins show varied funerary practices
Excavations revealed several mummies dating to the Roman period. Some were wrapped in linen bandages decorated with geometric patterns, while others were placed inside painted wooden coffins. These findings reflect different burial styles used during the era.
Among the most significant finds were three tongues made of gold and one made of copper placed inside the mouths of the deceased. Archaeologists say these objects were part of funerary rituals linked to beliefs about the afterlife. They may have been intended to help the dead speak before divine beings.
Traces of gold leaf were also found on some of the mummies. Researchers say this suggests that certain individuals were given special treatment after death, possibly reflecting status or spiritual beliefs.
Rare Homer’s Iliad papyrus adds literary and historical value
Inside one of the mummies, the team discovered a rare papyrus containing a passage from Book II of the Iliad by Homer. The text includes part of the “Catalogue of Ships,” which lists Greek forces involved in the campaign against Troy. Experts say this find highlights the spread of Greek literature in Roman Egypt and adds cultural value to the site.
Additional chambers reveal complex burial rituals
Further excavation east of a nearby Ptolemaic tomb uncovered a trench with three limestone-built chambers.
In the first chamber, archaeologists found a jar containing cremated remains of an adult, along with the bones of an infant and the head of a feline animal, all wrapped in textile fragments. The second chamber contained cremated remains of two individuals and similar animal bones, suggesting repeated ritual practices.
To the south, the team uncovered terracotta and bronze figurines, including representations of Harpocrates and Cupid. These objects reflect a mix of Egyptian and Greco-Roman religious traditions.
Officials highlight the importance of the find
Excavations in another nearby tomb revealed additional mummies and painted wooden coffins inside an underground burial chamber, or hypogeum. Researchers said the remains were damaged due to looting in ancient times.
Sherif Fathy said the discovery adds to a series of important finds in Minya and highlights the richness of Egypt’s heritage across different eras. Officials said ongoing work at the site is expected to reveal more about life and death in Roman Egypt.
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