More than 2,000 mummified ram heads from the Ptolemaic period have been discovered in the temple of Ramses II in the ancient city of Abydos. Mummies of sheep, dogs, goats, cows, gazelles and mongooses were also exhumed by US archaeologists from New York University at the famous archaeological site in southern Egypt, the Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism in Cairo said on Sunday.
According to the head of the US mission, Sameh Iskandar, the ram’s heads are “offerings” that indicate a cult of worship of Pharaoh Ramses II, even 1,000 years following his death. According to the director of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mostafa Wasiri, the finds will help to learn more regarding the temple of Ramesses II and the activities that took place there from its construction between 2374 and 2140 BC and the Ptolemaic period (323-323 AD). to 30 BC) took place.
Accusation of “sensationalism”
In addition to the animal mummies, the team also discovered remains of a sixth dynasty palace with walls regarding five meters thick, as well as several statues, papyrus, remains of ancient trees, leather clothing and shoes. The predynastic site of Abydos is located around 500 kilometers south of the capital Cairo on the banks of the Nile and was famous in ancient times for the tomb of Osiris, the god of the dead.
The Egyptian authorities have regularly reported archaeological finds in the past, but some experts have criticized this as “gimmicky” because the finds were of little scientific importance.
The country with around 105 million inhabitants is in a severe economic crisis and is dependent on tourism, which employs two million people. By 2028, the government is targeting 30 million tourists a year, up from 13 million before the coronavirus pandemic. (apa/afp)
