Recent discoveries at the ancient site of Oxyrhynchus, located southwest of Cairo, have captured the attention of archaeologists and historians alike. Thirteen mummies were found with remarkable features: their tongues and nails were made of gold. This extraordinary find is attributed to the collaborative efforts of researchers from the University of Barcelona and the Egyptian Ministry of Culture and Antiquities.
Historically known for its significant archaeological heritage, Oxyrhynchus has revealed new insights about ancient Egyptian customs related to death and the afterlife. The gold tongues were believed to enable the deceased to converse with Osiris, the god of the afterlife, demonstrating the Egyptians' deep-seated belief in the eternal and divine nature of gold. This sacred metal was often associated with immortality, making it particularly prestigious.
Mohammed Ismail Khaled, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasized the uniqueness of this discovery, noting many finds have never before been uncovered at the site. The team also found decorated tombs, skeletons, coffins, texts, paintings, and other significant artifacts from the Ptolemaic period, which spanned from 305 B.C. to 30 B.C.
Salima Ikram, a well-respected Egyptologist from the American University of Cairo, commented on the impact of the discovery. “The number of golden tongues found is impressive. It suggests the bodies likely belonged to individuals of high status connected with temple activities and animal worship prevalent in the region,” she stated.
Ester Ponce Milado, director of the excavation team, described the tomb layout, which consisted of two distinct burial shafts. The first shaft contained three chambers serving as the cemetery, where numerous mummies were interred side by side. The second shaft featured intricately painted murals, with one wall depicting the tomb's owner, Wen-Nefer, amid various Egyptian deities such as Anubis, Osiris, Aton, and Horus. The ceiling of this chamber honors the sky goddess, Nut.
Among the artifacts recovered, Hassan Ibrahim Amer, professor at the Faculty of Archaeology at Cairo University, highlighted the discovery of 29 valuable amulets, including scarab figures and idols of deities such as Horus, Thoth, and Isis, as well as a terracotta statuette of the god Harpocrates.
Interestingly, this isn't the first time golden tongues have been found at Oxyrhynchus. A few years prior, additional mummies with similar features were reported at Taposiris Magna, situated west of Alexandria, indicating the prevalence of this funerary custom.
With these finds, researchers are excited about the potential insights they may offer about ancient Egyptian beliefs, social structure, and rituals surrounding death and the afterlife. Such discoveries not only enrich our historical narrative but also contribute significantly to our collective appreciation of ancient civilizations.
