Mummies of sheep, dogs, goats, cows, gazelle and mongooses were also exhumed by a team of American archaeologists from New York University at this site famous for its temples and necropolises, the Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism said in a statement.
According to the director of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mostafa Waziri, these discoveries will allow us to learn more about the temple of Ramses II and the activities that took place there between its construction during the sixth dynasty of the Old Kingdom (between 2,374 and 2,140 BC) and the Ptolemaic period (323 to 30 BC).
Photo released by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, on March 25, 2023, of a mummified ram's head discovered in the temple of Ramses II in the ancient city of Abydos, southern Egypt © - / Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities / AFP
For Professor Sameh Iskandar, head of the American mission and quoted in the same statement, these rams' heads are "offerings", indicating "a cult to Ramses II celebrated 1,000 years after his death".
In addition to the remains of mummified animals, the team discovered the remains of a palace with walls about five meters thick dating back to the Sixth Dynasty, as well as several statues, papyri, remains of ancient trees, leather clothing and shoes.
Photo released by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, on March 25, 2023, of remains of a palace discovered during excavations in the temple of Ramses II in the ancient city of Abydos, southern Egypt © - / Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities / AFP
550 km south of Cairo and famous in antiquity for having sheltered the tomb of Osiris, the god of the dead, the predynastic site of Abydos is known for its temples, including that of Seti 1st and its necropolises.
The Egyptian authorities regularly announce archaeological discoveries lately, described by some experts as announcement effects with a political and economic significance rather than a scientific one.
Because the country of nearly 105 million inhabitants in serious economic crisis relies on tourism, which employs two million people and generates more than 10% of GDP, to straighten out its finances: its government aims for 30 million tourists per year by 2028, against 13 million before Covid-19.
Photo released by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, on March 25, 2023, of a bell discovered during excavations at the Temple of Ramses II in the ancient city of Abydos, southern Egypt © - / Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities / AFP
Many critics, however, mention the dilapidated state of some archaeological sites and museums.
© 2023 AFP