Egypt unveils ancient burial site, home to 50 mummies
A Egyptian archaeologist examines mummies inside a tomb during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
MINYA (Reuters) - Egyptian archaeologists uncovered a tomb containing 50 mummies dating back to the Ptolemaic era, in Minya, south of Cairo, the ministry of antiquities said on Saturday.
The mummies, 12 of which were of children, were discovered inside four, nine-meter deep burial chambers in the Tuna El-Gebel archaeological site.
Mummies are seen inside a tomb during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
The identities of the mummies were still unknown, said Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
“We have not found names written in hieroglyphics," he said, adding it was obvious from the mummification method that the individuals whose remains were found had to some extent held important or prestigious positions.
Visitors, including ambassadors from several countries, gathered at the discovery site where 40 of the mummies were exhibited during the announcement ceremony.
A Egyptian archaeologist examines mummies inside a tomb during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Some of the mummies were found wrapped in linen while others were placed in stone coffins or wooden sarcophagi.
The archaeological finding was the first of 2019 and was unearthed through a joint mission with the Research Center for Archaeological Studies of Minya University.
(This version of the story removes the word "Pharaonic" from headline and first paragraph)
A Egyptian archaeologist examines a mummy in a coffin inside a tomb during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
(Writing by Nadeen EbrahimEditing by Seham Eloraby, David Holmes, William Maclean)
A Egyptian archaeologist is seen next to a coffin inside a tomb during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshA Egyptian archaeologist is seen next to a coffin inside a tomb during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshA member of security personnel stands atop of a cliff as he guards the area during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshTourism Minister Rania al-Mashat speaks during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshEgypt's Antiquities Minister Khaled El-Enany speaks during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshArtifacts are displayed during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshArtifacts are displayed during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshA journalist is seen on the ladder at the entrance to the tombs, during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshSkulls and bones are seen inside a tomb during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshA Egyptian archaeologist examines a mummy inside a tomb during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshMummies are seen inside a tomb during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshMummies are seen inside a tomb during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshA Egyptian archaeologist is seen next to a coffin with mummy inside a tomb during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshA cameraman films inside a tomb during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshA member of security personnel guards the area during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah DalshPolice officers guard the area during the presentation of a new discovery at Tuna el-Gebel archaeological site in Minya Governorate, Egypt, February 2, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
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