Posted on 04/12/2010 1:53:20 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
CAIRO – Egyptian archaeologists discovered an intricately carved plaster sarcophagus portraying a wide-eyed woman dressed in a tunic in a newly uncovered complex of tombs at a remote desert oasis, Egypt's antiquities department announced Monday.
It is the first Roman-style mummy found in Bahariya Oasis some 186 miles (300 kilometers) southwest of Cairo, said archaeologist Mahmoud Afifi, who led the dig. The find was part of a cemetery dating back to the Greco-Roman period containing 14 tombs.
"It is a unique find," he told The Associated Press, confirming that initial examinations indicate a mummy is inside the coffin.
The carved plaster sarcophagus is only 3 feet (1 meter) long and shows a woman wearing a long tunic, a headscarf, bracelet and shoes, as well as a beaded necklace. Colored stones in the sarcophagus' eyes gave the appearance she is awake.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
A handout photo released by Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities shows a sarcophagus recently discovered in Bahariya Oasis, 300 km (190 miles) southwest of Cairo April 12, 2010. Egyptian archaeologists carrying out excavations at the site of a planned youth centre have found 14 tombs dating back to the third century BC, including one with a female mummy adorned with jewellery. REUTERS/Egyptian Supreme Council/Handout (EGYPT - Tags: SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY)
A handout photo released by Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities shows a gypsum mask unearthed alongside a sarcophagus recently discovered in Bahariya Oasis, 300 km (190 miles) southwest of Cairo April 12, 2010. Egyptian archaeologists carrying out excavations at the site of a planned youth centre have found 14 tombs dating back to the third century BC, including one with a female mummy adorned with jewellery. REUTERS/Egyptian Supreme Council/Handout (EGYPT - Tags: SOCIETY) )
Thanks for not pinging Laz too. ,-|
Digging it up in Egypt Ping!
But I am glad they haven't!
I’m glad too as I find these things fascinating. Any theories as to why she was so short? I know people were smaller back then but 3 feet seems short even for that time.
Please, no Helen Thomas pictures please!
The Romans always cremated the remains. I never heard of a Roman mummy - or daddy. Passing strange...worship of dead corpses was never a Western idea, Greek or Roman.
Many Romans converted to the Worship of Isis and Osirus with its promiss of eternal life. When they did they discarded creamation and took up mummification. Cleopatra, who was never a pharoah, took the title of Living Isis. She had many followers of her cult in Rome itself. I am told there are more things still buried in Egypt than there are dug up even now. One Pharaoh’s Tomb, Ramases VIII, is still lost in the Valley of the Kings!
To put Egypt into perspective, it’s important to start out by realizing that the various kingdoms of Egypt lasted for about 3,000 years. Its only real peer is the Elamite (southern Iran) Dynasties, that also lasted about that long.
Compare this to the historical Chinese kingdoms, at about 2100 years, the Roman Empire for 1500 years, British kings at about 1000 years
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Thanks NormsRevenge. I realize I've pinged two identical topics, but hey, I haven't been on FR all week (that's a break for everyone involved, I'm sure), and the GGG posting has been rather light. |
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