‘Untouchable’ Egyptian mummy shrouded in secrets that no scientist wants to disturb

The mysterious ‘Bashiri’ mummy has captivated the minds of Egyptologists for more than a century, but no expert has ever dared to touch it.

The mummy, known as ‘the untouchable one,’ was discovered by renowned Egyptologist Howard Carter in 1919 in the Valley of the Kings area of Luxor, three years before he uncovered King Tutankhamun’s lavish tomb.

The technique used to wrap this ancient corpse has never been seen in any other, with the bandages over the face arranged in an intricate pattern that resembles Egypt‘s famous pyramids.

The extraordinary care with which that Bashiri mummy was wrapped suggests this person was also of great importance in ancient Egyptian society.

But the idenтιтy of the corpse remains unknown largely because unwrapping the mummy to learn what lies within could irreversibly damage this one-of-a-kind embalming practice.

Scientists have found other ways to peer inside it, however, finding some clues as to who this person might have been.

CT scans and X-rays have been used to see what lies beneath the bandages without disturbing them.

These techniques have allowed researchers to determine that the Bashiri mummy was once a man who stood about five and a half feet tall.

The intricate technique used to wrap the Bashiri mummy has never been seen in any other

The Bashiri mummy dates back to the Ptolemaic era between the second and early third centuries BCE.

During this time, the artistry and sophistication of mummification practices were at their peak.

This mummy provides a unique window into the funerary practices during the Ptolemaic era of ancient Egypt. It is currently housed at the Egypt Museum in Cairo.

The complex arrangement of bandages over the mummy’s face is said to resemble the architectural design of the Egyptian pyramids, which may indicate the reverence and respect held toward this individual.

Unwrapping the mummy would be the most direct way to learn more about the remains that lie within.

But its wrappings are extremely delicate, and damaging them would destroy the only known evidence of this particular embalming technique.

That’s why experts have resorted to less invasive methods of investigation, such as CT scans and X-rays.

Observing the mummy’s ornate exterior also reveals information about this man’s status during his life.

CT scans and X-rays have allowed researchers to determine that the Bashiri mummy was once a man who stood about five and a half feet tall

.

Observing the mummy's ornate exterior also reveals information about this man's status during his life. For example, the wide collar covering his chest is made of several rows of beads and includes falcon-headed clasps, indicating wealth and importance

.

The apron covering the body features various scenes, including the mummy lying on a bed surrounded by the goddesses Isis and Nephthys, as well as the four sons of Horus, the god of kingship

The wide collar covering his chest is made of several rows of beads and includes falcon-headed clasps, according to the Egypt Museum.

The apron covering the body features various scenes, including the mummy lying on a bed surrounded by the goddesses Isis and Nephthys, as well as the four sons of Horus, the god of kingship.

The casing around the feet is also adorned two images of the funerary god Anubis.

These details suggest this was a man of great wealth and importance, but they do not bring experts any closer to learning his name.

The only clue is a hastily-written inscription scrawled inside his tomb, which may spell ‘Bashiri’ or ‘Nenu,’ but experts have never been able to settle on a single interpretation.

As experts continue to investigate these remarkable remains through non-invasive techniques, they may uncover more clues as to who this man was.

But until then, the Bashiri mummy will remain shrouded in mystery.

 

Related Posts

Exeter Cathedral door hole could be world’s oldest cat flap

BBC Records show payments to carpenters dating around 1598 A hole in a door at a cathedral is thought to be the world’s oldest cat flap. The…

The Brazen Bull and Other Ancient Torture Devices

We independently ᴀssess all our recommendations. Purchases through our links may earn us a commission. As human beings, we’ve been gifted with an amazing capacity for creativity…

A Central African Lyre Made from a Human Skull and Antelope Horns

A unique and intriguing artifact, the Central African lyre, stands out due to its unusual construction materials, including a human skull and antelope horns. This 19th-century instrument…

Women in Ancient Egypt

Women in ancient Egypt were regarded as the equals of men in every aspect save that of occupation. The man was the head of the household and nation, but women…

The Sad Story of Hitler’s Favorite Children

As a general proposition, loyalty is a morally commendable trait. Unless, of course, it is loyalty to an evil person and cause. Few examples highlight that exception…

Mingun Myanmar Guide – A Half Day Boat Trip From Mandalay

Mingun Myanmar Guide – A Half Day Boat Trip From Mandalay The ancient city of Mingun is a little explored gem near to Mandalay in Myanmar. Being…