In the sands of Minya Governorate, about 250 kilometers south of Cairo, Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered an extraordinary burial site that offers a glimpse into the funerary practices of the Late Period and Ptolemaic era, roughly dated between 300 and 200 BCE. The discovery took place in El-Bahnasa (ancient Oxyrhynchus)—a city that once flourished as a major provincial center under Greek and Roman rule. Excavated by a team from the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt, this site has revealed two well-preserved mummies adorned with golden tongues, along with an array of gold foil ornaments carefully placed upon their bodies.

The burial chamber lies within a rock-cut tomb, sealed beneath centuries of debris and sand. The stratigraphy of the site, combined with stylistic analysis of the sarcophagi and ᴀssociated pottery, situates the find during the Late Ptolemaic period, a time when Egyptian religious traditions blended with Hellenistic influences. Carbon dating of organic remains—linen wrappings and wooden coffin fragments—further supports this timeframe, establishing the tomb’s age at approximately 2,300 years old.

The tomb contained two anthropoid limestone sarcophagi positioned side by side, both oriented east-west, symbolizing the deceased’s journey toward the rising sun and rebirth in the afterlife. The sarcophagi were finely carved, their lids depicting idealized faces painted in red and gold ochre. Inside each coffin rested a mummified body wrapped in intricate linen layers, the fibers still bearing traces of resin and aromatic oils once used during embalming.

Surrounding the sarcophagi, archaeologists uncovered fragments of painted plaster, amulets in the form of scarabs and eyes of Horus, and pieces of faience jewelry. Most remarkably, the team identified gold leaf fragments corresponding to facial features—tongues, eyes, and even small plaques shaped for placement over the heart and fingers. These elements were found both attached to the wrappings and scattered within the sediment, suggesting ritual placement that had shifted during millennia of burial.

The golden elements were crafted from hammered gold foil, each sheet meticulously cut to match anatomical contours. The average thickness of these foils measured less than 0.2 millimeters, testifying to exceptional metalworking skill. Gold, sourced likely from Nubian mines, symbolized divinity and immortality, ᴀssociated with the flesh of the gods in Egyptian belief. The tongues—oval plaques roughly 3 centimeters long—were delicately shaped and polished to reflect light, possibly intended to “speak” to the gods in the afterlife.

Microscopic analysis of the foils revealed traces of organic adhesive, probably resin or beeswax, used to affix them onto the mummified flesh. In addition to the tongues, small gilded strips resembling eyelids and mouth covers were discovered, echoing funerary customs recorded in earlier dynasties but adapted for the Hellenistic context.

The concept of a golden tongue derives from the Egyptian notion that the deceased needed to communicate with Osiris, the god of the afterlife. By replacing the decaying tongue with one of gold, priests ensured that the soul could “speak” during the Weighing of the Heart ceremony, when truth was measured against the feather of Ma’at. Gold’s incorruptible nature embodied eternal life, allowing the spirit (ka) to remain articulate and radiant in the next world.

Accompanying wall fragments within the tomb depict scenes of the solar barque, where deities guide the sun god Ra through the underworld. These paintings, executed in vibrant blue and white pigments with celestial motifs, connect the tomb’s occupants to the divine voyage through the heavens. The iconography aligns with burial rites from the Late Period, reinforcing the belief that the afterlife mirrored a cosmic journey of renewal.

The excavation was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Adel Okasha, head of the Central Department of Antiquities of Middle Egypt, with scientific direction by Dr. Hisham El-Leithy. The team employed non-invasive techniques, including ground-penetrating radar and pH๏τogrammetry, to map the chamber before excavation. Each find was documented using digital 3D scanning, ensuring accurate recording for conservation and research.

Specialists in conservation treated the fragile gold leafs and linen wrappings with microcrystalline wax to prevent oxidation and further deterioration. Samples of the resin and textile were sent to laboratories at the Egyptian Museum for chemical analysis, aiming to identify the specific embalming compounds—an area of growing study that helps trace trade routes of resins and minerals in the Mediterranean.

This discovery adds to a growing corpus of mummies with golden tongues found in Egypt in recent years, including notable examples from Alexandria’s Taposiris Magna and Quesna necropolis. However, the El-Bahnasa find stands out for the presence of two individuals interred together, suggesting familial or ritual pairing. Their similar adornments hint at a coordinated burial rite, perhaps within a priestly class or a cult devoted to Osiris or Thoth.

The presence of both Egyptian and Hellenistic artistic features—classical facial modeling combined with traditional funerary symbolism—highlights a cultural synthesis that defined Ptolemaic Egypt. Scholars interpret this as evidence of evolving theology, where ancient rituals adapted to new worldviews introduced through Greek influence, yet retained the spiritual essence of pharaonic belief.

The tomb and its contents are now undergoing detailed study at the Minya Restoration and Conservation Center, where experts are analyzing isotopic data from bone and textile samples to determine the mummies’ origins and diet. Plans are underway to exhibit the find in a special section of the Grand Egyptian Museum, contextualized within the broader narrative of Egyptian funerary evolution.

Further excavations around El-Bahnasa aim to uncover additional tombs from the same necropolis, believed to contain both elite burials and communal crypts. Remote sensing data indicate the possible presence of extended corridors leading to secondary chambers, suggesting the site once formed part of a larger sacred complex.

The discovery of the El-Bahnasa golden-tongued mummies not only enriches our understanding of Egyptian mortuary rituals but also illuminates the continuity of spiritual ideas across millennia. Crafted from the most enduring of materials, these delicate golden leaves encapsulate the human yearning for voice beyond death—an eternal dialogue between the mortal and the divine.

As archaeologists brush away the dust of centuries, each gleam of gold reconnects us with the universal desire for remembrance. In their silence, these mummies speak still—through the shimmer of their tongues and the enduring faith of a civilization that sought eternity in both word and light.