Embark on a captivating journey
through the mysteries of ancient Egypt. This remarkable civilization, with
its majestic pyramids and intriguing tombs, continues to fascinate. The quest for
Cleopatra's tomb, a tale steeped in mystery, has yielded astonishing artefacts.
So, can these items lead us to the tomb? Let’s find out! First on the list is the
mummies with the gold tongue! Mummifying someone in ancient Egypt was a
big deal, lasting about 70 days and involving skilled priests with detai
led knowledge of
human anatomy. It was a pricey process, so mostly wealthy and royal folks ended up mummified,
often surrounded by treasures, mummified animals, and even servants for the afterlife. Some
had their tongues covered in gold foil. In January 2021, the Egyptian Ministry
of Tourism and Antiquities shared that in the temple of Taposiris Magna, near Alexandria, archaeologists found two mummies with gold
foil tongues. A joint Egyptian-Dominican mission discovered these during a surve
y of 16
rock-cut crypts from Egypt's Greco-Roman period. The priests, preparing the bodies for the
afterlife, believed the gold foil tongues would help the deceased communicate with Osiris, the
god of the dead. The golden tongues, shaped like amulets, were likely put in the mummies' mouths
to ensure they could speak in the afterlife. While it's uncertain why gold was chosen
or if the person had a speech impediment, it's clear that gold was highly valued, much
like today. Some mummies were
even wrapped in gilded cartonnage, layers of linen or papyrus
plastered with gold. The significant mummies at Taposiris Magna had golden decorations depicting
Osiris and wore symbolic crowns and necklaces. Although golden tongues have been found in other
mummies, it's a mystery why some got this special treatment. The ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead,
guiding funerary practices, mentions placing gold foil on the tongue to ensure the deceased could
breathe, eat, and speak in the afterlife.
This discovery adds a golden touch to our understanding
of ancient Egyptian beliefs and practices. Next on the list is the Book of the Dead itself! In March 2022, a super-long Book of
the Dead scroll, over 2,000 years old, was shown to the public. They found it in
a tomb near the Step Pyramid of Djoser, Egypt's oldest big stone building. Originally
thought to be 29 feet, it turned out to be a massive 52-foot scroll. This 'Waziri Papyrus' is
unique because an Egyptian discovered it, a first!
They found it all rolled up in a sarcophagus
belonging to a person named Ahmose, mentioned a whopping 260 times in the scroll. The scroll
is full of drawings of gods and the afterlife, with Osiris, the ancient Egyptian god
of the underworld, making appearances. While we don't know a lot about Ahmose,
archaeologists are sure he was rich and powerful enough to create such a detailed Book of the
Dead. This discovery adds a fascinating chapter to Egypt's ancient history, revealing the beliefs
and
wealth of a person from more than 2,000 years ago. Next on the list is not a mere artefact, it’s a
whole valley known as the Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Kings, found
near the Nile in Upper Egypt, is a historic burial ground where many powerful
kings, or pharaohs, from the 18th to the 20th dynasties were laid to rest. This valley,
once part of the ancient city of Thebes, boasts 62 known tombs and chambers that
showcase diverse designs and decorations. Worried about tomb robbe
rs, the kings of the
New Kingdom decided to hide their burial sites in the western hills behind Dayr al-Bahri.
The tombs, carved deep into the mountains, featured descending corridors, shafts to confuse
robbers, and chambers for the royal afterlife needs. These tombs were not only for pharaohs but
also for queens, officials, and sons of Ramses II. The Valley of the Kings has two main parts,
the East Valley, housing most royal tombs, and the West Valley, also called
the Valley of the Monkey
s. With recent discoveries in 2005 and 2008, the
total tombs and chambers count rose to 65. This valley was a crucial burial ground for
major figures of the New Kingdom. The tombs, adorned with scenes from Egyptian myths,
provide insights into ancient funerary practices and beliefs about the afterlife.
While many tombs were looted long ago, they still offer a glimpse into the
wealth and might of Egypt's pharaohs. The Valley of the Kings, designated
a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a captiv
ating window into
the rich history and culture of ancient Egypt, attracting scholars
and enthusiasts from around the world. So, do you think that these findings
have any connection with Cleopatra? Let us know in the comments and
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