Current:Home > MarketsOver 2,000 ram skulls discovered in Egypt's temple of Ramses II, a new mystery for archaeologists-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Over 2,000 ram skulls discovered in Egypt's temple of Ramses II, a new mystery for archaeologists
View Date:2024-12-24 07:35:06
Cairo — Archaeologists have announced the discovery of more than 2,000 rams' heads at the temple of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II — a find that the man in charge of the dig said surprised even veteran Egyptologists and showed the endurance of Ramses' impact, as the skulls were left there a millennium after the pharaoh's rule.
A team of archaeologists with New York University's Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW) made the discovery in the city of Abydos, one of the oldest cities and richest archaeological sites in Egypt. It's located about seven miles west of the Nile River in Upper Egypt, some 270 miles south of Cairo.
The ram skulls were found stacked in the northern precinct of the temple, said Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which announced the discovery on Saturday.
"We came across some random pieces of skulls first," Dr. Sameh Iskander, head of the ISAW mission, told CBS News. "We didn't know what they were, but as we continued our excavation and exploration, all of sudden we found a whole area filled with ram skulls."
"These are obviously offerings that were made to the temple of Ramses during the Ptolomaic period, which shows even 1,000 years after Ramses II, that he was still revered." Ramses II ruled over ancient Egypt for about 60 years before his death in 1213 BC.
Iskander explained that some of the ram heads were still mummified, while "others could have been mummified but the wrappings or the covers of mummifications were not there anymore."
The skulls were found among other objects, from papyrus to leather artifacts and statues, about six feet under the contemporary surface of the desert in what had been a storeroom of the ancient temple.
The large number of skulls found in the same place was "surprising even for Egyptologists," Iskander said.
"We are sure they were all dumped at the same time, so this was not an accumulation of skulls that were brought in over the years, but they came from somewhere else and were dumped into this magazine at some point for some reason which we don't know yet," he told CBS News. "It is significant because this place where they ended up is not just any place in the temple, so they were brought there for a reason. They were not just dumped in the desert but were inside this revered domain of the temple."
The archeologists also unearthed a large structure made of mudbricks with walls about 16 feet thick dating back about 4,200 years, to ancient Egypt's Sixth Dynasty.
"It is a major structure that will change our concept of the landscape of Abydos. This wall was built for something, it was at least 30 feet high." Iskander said. "We don't know exactly what this wall is. It's possible that this was a wall of the antient Abydos, which was never found. Could it be something else? Maybe, that's what we are working on now."
The mission also found other mummified animal remains, including dogs, goats, cows and gazelles.
Beside the massive structure, one very small object also captured Iskandar's attention.
"We also found a small bronze bell in excellent condition with the clapper, so we can hear the same sound of the ancient time. I was very happy to find it," he said. "It was probably used to mark a herd."
The head of the American mission, whose team has worked at the Abydos site since 2008, spoke to CBS News after traveling back to New York. He said a lot of research was still needed to find explanations for the latest discoveries.
"I hate to keep saying 'we don't know,' but this is the nature of archaeology. We keep working on findings that might lead to something, or not," he said, adding that he and his team may even need to "leave it to the next generation — they may have a better idea or other discoveries."
"Every year we have lots of finds and we come back very happy with the new finds, but we also come back with a huge sack full of questions," he said.
- In:
- Archaeologist
- Egypt
Ahmed Shawkat is a CBS News producer based in Cairo.
TwitterveryGood! (67529)
Related
- Oil Industry Asks Trump to Repeal Major Climate Policies
- Love Is Blind's Hannah Reveals Her True Thoughts on Leo's Shouting Match
- Target's 2024 top toy list with LEGO, Barbie exclusives; many toys under $20
- Raiders' Antonio Pierce dodges Davante Adams trade questions amid rumors
- When is 'The Golden Bachelorette' finale? Date, time, where to watch Joan Vassos' big decision
- Raiders' Antonio Pierce dodges Davante Adams trade questions amid rumors
- What is the Google Doodle today? Popcorn kernels run around in Wednesday's Doodle
- Indiana man sentenced for neglect after rat attack on his infant son
- Statue of the late US Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon, is unveiled in his native Alabama
- These Designer Michael Kors Handbags Are All Under $100 & Been Quietly Put on Sale With an Extra 20% Off
Ranking
- The Fate of Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager's Today Fourth Hour Revealed
- Hailey Bieber's Fall Essentials Include Precious Nod to Baby Jack
- Parole rescinded for former LA police detective convicted of killing her ex-boyfriend’s wife in 1986
- Why is October 3 'Mean Girls' Day? Here's why Thursday's date is the most 'fetch' of them all
- What’s the secret to growing strong, healthy nails?
- Pete Rose's longtime teammate Tony Perez opens up about last visit with baseball icon
- Joaquin Phoenix says 'Joker 2' movie musical drew inspiration from KISS
- Mormon faith pushes ahead with global temple building boom despite cool reception in Las Vegas
Recommendation
-
Kalen DeBoer, Jalen Milroe save Alabama football season, as LSU's Brian Kelly goes splat
-
A simple, forehead-slapping mistake on your IRA could be costing you thousands
-
Becky Hammon likens Liberty to Spurs as Aces trail 0-2: 'They feel like something was stolen'
-
What NFL game is on today? Buccaneers at Falcons on Thursday Night Football
-
Hill House Home’s Once-A-Year Sale Is Here: Get 30% off Everything & up to 75% off Luxury Dresses
-
7 dead, 1 injured in fiery North Carolina highway crash
-
Detroit Lions fan wins $500,000 on football-themed scratch-off game after skipping trip
-
Chappell Roan is getting backlash. It shows how little we know about mental health.