A silver facemask gilded with gold was found on the face of the mummy. A silver face mask gilded with gold, a mummification workshop, mummies and sarcophagi have all been discovered at a tomb complex in Saqqara, Egypt, an Egyptian-German team announced this morning (July 14). The complex contains several burial shafts dug into the ground, some of them extending more than 100 feet (30 meters) deep, the team said in a statement. At least some of the finds date back around 2,500 years, including the silver face mask, which dates to sometime between 664 B.C. and 404 B.C., the statement said. The eyes of the face mask contain calcite, obsidian and a black gemstone. [Photos: Ancient Egyptian General's Tomb Discovered in Saqqara] The tomb complex (part of which is shown in this 3D laser scan) consists of a series of shafts that lead to multiple burial chambers. (Image credit: University of Tübingen, eScience Center) "The finding of this mask could be called a sensation," Ramadan Badry Hussein, head of the Egyptian-German team, from the University of Tübingen in Germany, said in the statement. "Very few masks of precious metal have been preserved to the present day, because the tombs of most ancient Egyptian dignitaries were looted in ancient times." The mask was found on the face of a mummy hidden inside a badly damaged wooden coffin that has an image of a goddess called Mut on it. From the writing on the coffin that is still legible, researchers can tell that the man was a priest who served Mut. Mummification workshop Archaeologists also found the remains of what they think is a mummification workshop, a place where people were mummified before burial, in the tomb complex. It contains bowls and measuring cups that have the names of oils and other substances used for mummification written on them. Inside the workshop, they also discovered two large basins that were likely used to dry mummies with natron and prepare bandages that would be used to wrap them, the statement said. One of the mummies found in the complex is of a priest who served the sky goddess Mut. His mummy was found in a badly damaged wooden coffin. (Image credit: University of Tübingen, Ramadan B. Hussein) The workshop is in the remains of a building made of mudbrick and limestone. This building is above a large shaft that leads down to several burial chambers holding mummies, sarcophagi, alabaster vessels (used to hold the organs of the deceased) and shabti figurines — the Egyptians believed these figures could act as servants for the deceased in the afterlife. Excavation and mapping of the tomb complex are ongoing. The research is sponsored by the German Research Foundation. Many of the team's German researchers are from the University of Tübingen. Originally published on Live Science.<doc-sep>SAQQARA, Egypt — In the shadow of Egypt’s oldest pyramids, the Saqqara Step Pyramids, Egyptian and German archaeologists have uncovered an embalming factory that sheds new light on how ancient Egyptians were mummified. Ramadan Hussein, director of the Saqqara Seites Tomb Project, called it a “goldmine of information” on ingredients used to preserve mummies for thousands of years. The recent discovery included a complex of building, including an embalmer's cachette and a mummification workshop. A general view of the research site at the Saqqara necropolis in Egypt, on July 14, 2018. Mohamed Hossam / EPA "But the most important thing is a communal burial place in the form of a deep shaft," Hussein said. "The embalmer cachette has vessels in the form of measuring cups also bowls all inscribed with the names of oils and substances that were used in the mummification. Now we’ve found a goldmine of information about what exactly are the kind of oils that we’re dealing with." The treasure trove lay hidden under the sand for 2,600 years until archaeologists discovered them while mapping a site last excavated in 1899. “We had to do cleaning in order to map and produce our survey map,” said Hussein, "and, of course, every great discovery in Egyptian archaeology happens by accident." In the new find, archaeologists opened one of five sarcophagi which have been sealed since burial. It revealed the mummy of a second priest to the Goddess Mut and was adorned with a rare silver and gold gilded mask, beaded netting and gilded images of Pharaonic gods. A recently discovered gilded mummy mask is displayed during a press conference in front of the step pyramid of Saqqara, in Giza on July 14, 2018. Amr Nabil / AP They archaeologists also uncovered 35 other mummies, a coffin, dozens of blue ushepti statuettes to serve the deceased in the afterlife and alabaster canopic jars to hold their organs. The find shows that even in preparation for the afterlife, money and position mattered. “We have so many mummies that were discovered: Some buried with nothing, others buried with objects that are moderate in terms of value. Others with very, very expensive objects like the gilded mask that we are putting on display today,” Hussein said. The shaft, 100-feet deep, has still more secrets to reveal. “This is just the beginning of the discovery”, said Mostafa Al Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. Next season, they will open the four remaining sealed sarcophagi. Across the country, the latest technology has spurred the speed of discoveries as archaeologists revisit old sites to unearth new ancient wonders.<doc-sep>Images show mysterious three-fingered mummy FREE for the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up forfor the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. The “sinister” granite tomb was dug out in Alexandria City where some believe Alexander the Great himself is buried. The exciting discovery was met with cheers by the Egyptian Council of Antiquities but others remained wary of what might be lurking inside. Archaeologists estimate the 9.8-foot-long black tomb dates back to the Egyptian Ptolemaic period, sometime between 350BC and 30BC. The sarcophagus remained carefully interned in the ground for two millennia and many now claim it should have remained that way. People took to social media in the past days to humorously protest the opening of the sarcophagus. Many referenced the hit 199 film “The Mummy” as the perfect example of how things go wrong when people meddle with ancient, sealed tombs. David Milner, editor at Gamer Informer Australia, tweeted: “As a fan of Brendan Fraser’s ‘The Mummy’, I say don’t open the cursed sarcophagus. “But as someone who saw Tom Cruise’s ‘The Mummy’, I say do it. We deserve the horrors that await.” Egypt mummy discovery: The dark sarcophagus dates back 2,000 years People hilariously warned against opening the sarcphagus Jeet Heer of The New Republic, said: “If we’ve learned anything from every Mummy movie of the last 100 years, it’s that the sarcophagus must not be opened”. British fiction author and comic book writer Neil Gaiman ominously said he has a fairly good idea “how this one goes”. Fellow author Nick Moseley added: “Just for once, how about we re-bury the sinister black sarcophagi and pretend we never found it? “They’re going to open it, aren’t they? Oh well, I’m off to Tesco to stock up on holy water.” Incredible preserved mummy discovered in Ancient Egyptian crypt in Minya Sat, February 24, 2018 An ancient Egyptian cemetery was discovered six kilometers north of Tuna al-Gabal archaeological site in Minya. Play slideshow EPA 1 of 8 Skulls are seen at a recently found ancient Egyptian cemetery Book author Catherynne Valence also tweeted: “They found this black granite sarcophagus in Alexandria and that’s really cool and all but if the movies have taught me anything guys, don’t open that. Just don’t. Leave it alone.” I say don’t open the cursed sarcophagus David Milner Washington Post writer Alexandra Petri also expressed her concerns, tweeting: “I think I’m team ‘Let’s Open The Sarcophagus How Bad Can It Be’ and suddenly I understand the first ten minutes of every disaster movie much better.” But despite the tongue-in-cheek protests all over the internet, researchers from the Supreme Council of Antiquities decided to open the sarcophagus to get a good look at the mysteries inside. The archaeologists discovered the well preserved and more importantly dead remains of a mummy rotten down to the bone, without signs of any ancient curse. The ancient mummy was dug out in the old site of Alexandria City Archaeologists will analyse the sarcophagus' contents to crack the mummy mystery<doc-sep>
Mummy discovery: A 2,000-year-old sarcophagus was dug out in Egypt The 2,000-year-old granite sarcophagus was accidentally uncovered under one of Egypt’s most fabled and historical ancient cities. Speculation is now rife about the contents of the sarcophagus, with some theorising it could be the final resting place of Alexander the Great himself. Alongside the coffin, archaeologist uncovered a worn out alabaster head of a man, likely of the person buried below. Experts estimate the coffin and its occupant date back to the Ptolemaic period circa 323 and 30 BC. Where was the mummy sarcophagus found? Was the ancient mummy found in the mysterious Valley of the Kings – the burial home of Egypt’s Pharaohs? No, the sarcophagus was discovered sealed away below a construction site in the modern day city of Alexandria. The coffin was found by workers digging out the ground under Al Karmeli Street in Alexandria’s bustling Sidi Gaber district. A statement released by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities revealed the coffin appears to be the largest of its kind discovered in Alexandria. Images show mysterious three-fingered mummy The coffin measures approximately 8.4 feet in length, 6 feet in height and 5.4 feet in width. Dr Ayman Ashmawy, head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector, said the coffin was found around 16.4 feet beneath the surface of the ground. A tight seal of mortar between the coffin’s lid and the and the body inside indicates the coffin most likely remained sealed for 2,000 years. Many who saw the discovery announcement, hilariously flocked to social media to warn authorities against opening the sarcophagus. Incredible preserved mummy discovered in Ancient Egyptian crypt in Minya Sat, February 24, 2018 An ancient Egyptian cemetery was discovered six kilometers north of Tuna al-Gabal archaeological site in Minya. Play slideshow EPA 1 of 8 Skulls are seen at a recently found ancient Egyptian cemetery Novelist Nick Moseley said: “Just for once, how about we re-bury the sinister black sarcophagi and pretend we never found it? Just for once, how about we re-bury the sinister black sarcophagi Nick Moseley “They’re going to open it, aren’t they? Oh well, I’m off to Tesco to stock up on holy water.” Where is the Valley of the Kings? Outside the Great Pyramids of Giza and the city of Alexandria, the Valley of the Kings is perhaps the best known iconic landmark of Ancient Egypt. The mysterious valley along the river Nile in east-central Egypt is home to a spectacular collection of tombs and mausoleums. The Valley of the Kings became a burial ground for Egyptian royalty during the reign of Egypt’s so-called New Kingdom between 1539 and 1075 BC. Egypt mummy: The sarcophagus was found in the city of Alexandria Egypt mummy: The sarcophagus is tightly shut with a layer of mortar