Egypt: New discovery of ancient mummified creatures found near Pyramid of Giza

Egypt: New discovery of ancient mummified creatures found near Pyramid of Giza
Fecha de publicación: 
12 November 2018
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EGYPT archaeologists have discovered dozens of mummified cats and scarab beetles in seven ancient tombs near the Great Pyramid of Giza, the latest discovery in the region.

The seven tombs, found south of Cairo, were investigated by local archeolists in Egypt.

Inside were dozens of mummified cat and scarab beetle remains, thought to have been untouched.

A door inside was also found inside which is thought to have never been opened, with plans to open it for the first time in the next few weeks.

The discovery was found close to the Pyramid of Giza, one of the most famous sites in the world.

Dating back more than 4,000 years, the tombs were found at Saqqara which was once though to be the necropolis for the capital, Memphis.

The tombs are thought to date back to the Fifth Dynasty, between 2,500 BC and 2,350 BC.

This is the same period of time when the Pyramid of Giza was built.

The cat was often held in the highest esteem in Egypt, with many found mummified thousands of years later.

They were thought to represent Bastet, a half-cat half-woman goddess.

Egypt: Pyramid of Giza cat discoveryEgypt: Dozens of mummified animals were found in the seven tombs near Cairo (Image: Reuters)

Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Dr Khaled El-Enany announced the discovery on Twitter.

He wrote: “#Tens of #cats #mummies were unearthed in #Saqqara #necropolis along with 100 wooden #gilded #statues of #cats and a bronze one dedicated to the cat #goddess #bastet.”

Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, said: "The [mummified] scarab is something really unique. It is something really a bit rare.

"A couple of days ago, when we discovered those coffins, they were sealed coffins with drawings of scarabs. I never heard about them before."

More discoveries are expected to be found in the same region, with a buried ridge recently uncovered which has revealed the latest findings.

The true purpose of the Great Pyramids has been 'discovered'

A number of recent discoveries in Egypt have recently been found surrounding the Pyramid of Giza location.

Earlier this year, 800 tombs dating back to the same time period were found at an ancient burial ground.

A 4,000-year-old tomb near Giza was also opened for the first time, dating back to the Sixth Dynasty.

The Tomb of Mehu not only contains the body of the King’s advisor but also of his son, Meren Ra and his grandson Heteb Kha.

The discoveries are part of a tourist drive to entice travellers back to the region.

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