The Spanish archaeological mission from the University of Barcelona, in collaboration with the Institute of Ancient Near Eastern Studies and headed by Dr. Maite Mascort and Dr. Esther Pons Mellado, has successfully uncovered rock-cut tombs from the Ptolemaic and Roman eras In Minya governorate, Egypt.
This significant find also includes several Roman-era mummies, adding a rich layer to the historical narrative of the region.
Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, clarified that these newly discovered Roman-era tombs were found in the eastern section of the upper cemetery in El-Bahnasa.
These tombs represent a new burial style, consisting of a pit carved into the natural bedrock below ground level.
For the first time in the El-Bahnasa area, terracotta statues depicting the goddess Isis-Aphrodite adorned with a vegetal wreath and crown were found, suggesting that the site still harbors many secrets regarding diverse burial practices across different ages.
Dr. Adel Okasha, head of the Central Administration of Upper Egypt Antiquities, remarked that the mission also unearthed clay-sealed papyrus parts alongside a multitude of colorfully wrapped mummies. Some of these were covered with gilded and colored funeral masks.
Remarkably, two of these mummies had tongues made of gold placed in their mouths—a ritual known from the Roman period in El-Bahnasa to preserve the deceased.
Dr. Jamal El-Samastawy, Director General of Central Egypt Antiquities, noted that the architectural design of the tombs featured a stone shaft ending with a brick-sealed door leading to a large pit where they found a collection of both empty and sealed coffins containing mummies covered in colorful cartonnage.
In total, 23 mummified bodies were discovered outside the coffins, and four human-shaped coffins, one of which contained two mummies and small votive perfume bottles.
Dr. Hassan Amer, Professor of Archaeology at the Cairo University Faculty of Archaeology and director of the mission's excavations, highlighted the discovery of several stone blocks belonging to a ruined structure, many decorated with plant drawings, grape clusters, and groups of animals and birds like doves and cobra snakes.
The mission plans to continue its work in the area in upcoming excavation seasons, aiming to uncover more of its hidden history.
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