More than 2,000 mummified ram heads dating back to the Ptolemaic era have been discovered at the temple of Ramses II in the ancient city of Abydos in southern Egypt, Egyptian authorities said on Sunday.
Mummies of sheep, dogs, goats, cows, gazelles and mongooses were also unearthed by a team of American archaeologists from New York University, at this site famous for its temples and necropolis, the Department of Tourism and Antiquities announced. in a statement released to the press.
According to the archaeologist and secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mostafa Waziri, these discoveries will allow us to better understand the temple of Ramses II and the activities that were carried out there between its construction, during the sixth dynasty of the Old Kingdom (between 2374 and 2140 BC), and the Ptolemaic Period (323 to 30 BC).
US mission director Sameh Iskandar, quoted in the same press release, said these ram heads are “sacrifices” indicating “a cult to Ramesses II celebrated 1,000 years after his death.”
The team also discovered the remains of a palace with walls about five meters thick, dating back to the Sixth Dynasty, as well as several statues, papyrus, remains of ancient trees, clothing and leather shoes.
550 km south of Cairo and famous in ancient times for having housed the tomb of Osiris, the god of the dead, the predynastic site of Abydos is known for its temples, particularly that of Seti, and its necropolis.
The Egyptian authorities have been regularly announcing archaeological discoveries lately, which some specialists believe have more of a political and economic impact than a scientific one, as the country, with a population of nearly 105 million and in a serious economic crisis, depends on tourism for their replenish finances.
Tourism in Egypt employs two million people and generates more than 10% of gross domestic product (GDP).
The government is aiming to reach 30 million tourists a year by 2028, compared to the 13 million pre-covid-19, although many critics question reaching the target and point to the poor state of certain archaeological sites and museums.
Source: DN
