Ancient Mummy Surrounded by Skulls Discovered as 3,500-Year-Old Tomb Opened for First Time (Photos)

Posted by Samuel on Sun 10th Dec, 2017 - tori.ng

An ancient mummy which is surrounded by skulls has been discovered as a 3,500-year-old tomb is opened for the first time.

Skulls, bones and mummy discovered in Luxor tombs

An ancient 3,500-year-old Egyptian mummy surrounded by skulls and bones has been discovered in the southern city of Luxor.

The timeworn corpse was found with 450 dusty statues, haunting painted funeral masks and wooden coffin fragments in one of two new tombs.

Believed to belong to a noble or important official, the well-preserved corpse has left archaeologists on the west bank of the Nile with more questions than answers.

Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani said: “The 18th dynasty private tombs were already known. But it’s the first time to enter inside the two tombs.

“It’s truly an exceptional day.”

3,500-year-old mummy discovered in Luxor tomb

The strange artefacts could be the first of many more surprises unveiled, with more exploring and digs to come.

One tomb has a courtyard lined with mud-brick ad stone walls and contains a six-meter burial shaft leading to four side chambers.

Wall inscriptions and paintings inside point toward the find belonging to the era between the rings of King Amenhotep II and King Thutmose IV, 18th dynasty pharaohs.

The other tomb has five entrances and a rectangular hall with paired burial shafts on both the northern and southern sides.

Skulls and bones found with the mummy

Funerary cones, clay vessels, and a cartouche – a representative carving detailing the reign of King Thutmose I, all complement the exciting mummy discovery in the first tomb.

Since the beginning of 2017 several new finds have been unveiled across numerous provinces in Egypt.

One of these was the tomb of a royal goldsmith who’s craft was dedicated to ancient Egyptian god Amun that belongs to the same era as the two discovered this week.

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Via Daily Star UK