Egypt has always been destination of discussion amidst the Archaeological fraternity . This land is better known for its unforgettable Pyramids, mummies and the mighty river Nile which has always enchanted travellers for time long. Again a new feather is added to the cap with the unfolding of 57 archaic tombs with mummies inside.
June 1, 2010 by Hengul
[Egypt] The African country of Egypt has always been like a powerhouse of magnetic energy that has the capacity to allure anyone to its periphery. This nation stands like a sort of curious case in the vast record of the world history. The nation graced by the mighty Nile river is a mysterious but enigmatic blend of ancient art, craft, rituals and monuments. Who doesn't know about the Pyramids and the mummies?
In simple interpretation, mummies are the corpses of the departed Egyptian pharaohs (kings) whose skin and body parts are preserved with the help of the ethnic chemicals and various other tools before they were buried. The word 'mummy' became a household name, thanks to various movies made on and around them....Remember “The Mummy” series of films starring Hollywood biggies like Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz?
However, the latest addition to this saga of historical myths is the recently fond tombs at Lahoun in Fayoum, that is situated 70 miles (100 kilometers) south of Cairo. Archeologists have unearthed 57ancient Egyptian tombs from that site. Interestingly most of them hold an ornately painted wooden sarcophagus with a mummy inside.
Amongst all the tombs, the oldest one is said to have its origin in the 2750 BC and is from the era of Egypt's first and second dynasties. Another twelve tombs are reported to be from the 18th dynasty that reigned in Egypt during the second millennium B.C.
The mummies in the tombs that belonged to the 18th dynasty, are drapped in linen decorated with religious texts from the Book of the Dead and scenes featuring ancient Egyptian deities. And on the other hand, some of the tombs are bedecked with religious texts that ancient Egyptians believed would help the deceased to cross through the underworld.
That is not all, in some tombs that are believed to be of 2030-1840 B.C, one can notice the scenes from different ancient Egyptian deities, such as the falcon-headed Horus, Hathor, Khnum and Amun that are artistically embellished on the tombs.
Researchers and tourists are very much excited about one of the most oldest tomb that is completely unblemished, with all of its funerary equipment and a wooden sarcophagus containing a mummy wrapped in linen.
The travellers who are interested in some primitive art and culture, will surely feel the urge to have a critical glance on these tombs by themselves.
The locality of Fayoum is gaining the attention of the archaeological fraternity and the globetrotters alike in recent past. It was only last year that 53 stone tombs that were from various period of time in history were found here.
This new find is expected to be very helpful in getting some more ideas about the religions that were prevalent in ancient Egypt. Not to speak of the increased options for vacationers who are always looking for something novel and intriguing!
The curiosity for the time gone by is a natural and eternal urge in every human mind. If you also fell victim to it, this is the time to listen to your inner voice.
The Mummies are waiting...
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