Mummies with gold tongues uncovered in Lower Egypt
A new archaeological discovery in the ancient cemetery of Quesna in Menoufia governorate raises questions about the reasons for using gold foil in the mummification process, as well as the reuse of tombs in different eras.
CAIRO — Egyptian archaeologists have recently discovered an extension of the archaeological cemetery in the ancient Quesna necropolis in Menoufia governorate, 45 miles north of Cairo, which contains several archaeological tombs where ancient mummies with golden tongues were found.
In a Facebook statement Nov. 24, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said the discovery was made by the archaeological mission of the Supreme Council of Antiquities working in the Quesna necropolis.
Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt, was quoted in the ministry statement as saying that the mission found a number of golden chips in the form of human tongues in the mouths of some of the mummies discovered inside the cemetery. But, he noted, these chips were found in a poor state of preservation.
Some tombs also contained skeletons and mummies whose bones were glazed in gold, and were placed under linen wraps, according to Waziri. He said that glues and tar were used in the embalming process.
