Catacomb filled with numerous mummies found at ancient necropolis

Archaeologists discovered an underground catacombs containing numerous corridors filled with mummies at an ancient cemetery site at Tuna el-Gebel in Egypt.

Close up of a mummy (by AFP)

Archaeologists claim to have discovered as many as 30 intact mummies within the catacombs which belong to the Late Period (664 -c. 332 BC) and to the Ptolemaic period. The mummies are believed to belong to ordinary people, judging from the catacombs style.

Underground catacombs (by AFP)

The catacombs area accessible by four wells that lead to the main corridors. In one chamber inside the tunnels, human bones and skulls are piled. Most of the mummies were laid in lines in both of its sides. While some them were left in plain stone and wooden sarcophagi, others were piled on top of each other.

Examination of the mummies (by AFP)

According to archaeologists this is the first human necropolis found in central Egypt with so many mummies. Beside the mummies ancient lamps, other domestic items, coins, numerous long, slender pieces of pottery, two papyri written in demotic ancient Egyptian, remains of a gilded funerary mask, a golden decoration shaped like feathers, and colourfully decorated coffin remains were discovered.

Some of the mummies found in the catacombs (by AFP)

(after AFP, The Telegraph, Al-Ahram Weekly & Live Science)

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