Ancient Mummies with Golden Tongues Discovered in Egypt

An Egyptian-Dominican team have unearthed 2,000-year-old mummies with golden tongues placed inside their mouths in northern Egypt, the antiquities ministry reported on Tuesday.

The team discovered 16 burials in rock-cut tombs popular in the Greek and Roman eras. In addition, the golden-tongued mummy was notable because ancient Egyptians gave some of their dead new golden tongues after embalming so they could speak before the god Osiris, who judged the dead and ruled the afterlife.

Ancient Mummy with Golden Tongue

Moreover, the researchers said they are not sure why the tongue was made out of gold specifically.

In addition, Two of the mummies were found with the remains of scrolls, which scholars are currently analyzing and deciphering. The plastered layers, or cartonnage, encasing one of these mummies has golden decorations of Osiris, the statement said.

Also, the researchers found several statues that depict the people who were buried at the site; the statues are so well preserved, you can still make out the inpidual’s hairstyles and headdresses, the statement reported. The statues give the people a formal look, with no smiles on their faces.