Archaeologists have made an unexpected discovery in the Quweisna (or Quesna) necropolis in the central Nile delta (Egypt).
They found several ancient mummies with gold shards on their tongues, reports
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These mummies were in a recently discovered extension of the archaeological complex unearthed in 1989. It is thought to have been occupied between 300 BC and 640 AD. Other bodies were buried across three different periods during ancient Egypt.
#Archaeologists in #Egypt have found a number of ancient mummies whose tongues had been removed and replaced with golden tongues!
It is believed the gold tongues were given to #mummies so that they could speak to the judge of the dead https://t.co/O38pfY4iSl pic.twitter.com/IZksch3HRo
— Ancient Origins (@ancientorigins) November 27, 2022
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Similar discoveries last year
During new excavations, researchers discovered several skeletons with gold-enameled bones, while others had been buried alongside gold scarabs and lotus flowers.
These golden tongues remain an enigma for archaeologists, even if other similar discoveries have already been made in the past.
The Egyptian archaeological mission, of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, which is working in the ancient cemetery of Quesna (Menoufia) succeeded in uncovering an extension of its ancient cemetery: it includes archaeological tombs dating to different periods, and mummies.
pic.twitter.com/7TcKpualwa
— Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (@TourismandAntiq) November 28, 2022
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In early 2021, at a 2,000-year-old site, researchers unearthed a skull with a shiny tongue-shaped ornament at the mouth.
By year's end, a mummified man, woman and child had been discovered with golden tongues.
To be seen well by Osiris
Several explanations are possible for this visibly widespread custom.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the gold may have been placed there by embalmers to ensure the dead a safe journey to the afterlife.
Indeed, in ancient Egypt, a golden tongue was necessary to be seen well by the god of the afterlife, Osiris.
Also called "Lord of Silence", Osiris apparently hated noise.
During the funeral rites, silence was imposed.
Researchers therefore suggest that a language sprinkled with gold could have allowed the deceased to converse with Osiris without emitting a sound.
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