Pre-dynastic mummy discovered in Upper Egypt

The Ministry of State for Antiquities announced on Tuesday the discovery of an ancient tomb and its mummy, along with other associated artefacts, in Upper Egypt, that are said to date back to pre-dynastic or proto-dynastic times and are estimated to be well over 5500 years old.

Tuesday’s discovery was made at the historic site of Hierakonpolis, in modern-day Kom al-Ahmar, near the town of Edfu in the Aswan Governorate — more than 650 kilometers south of Cairo.

The name and history of this mummified man is not yet known, although Egyptologists hope that Tuesday’s discovery will lead to further information surrounding the religious, funerary, social, and political aspects of this pre-dynastic period.

The mummy is said to belong to a young man, who is believed to have died around the age of 17 to 20 years. Archaeologists and Egyptologists at the site claim that this young man was laid to rest approximately 500 years before the advent of Pharaoh Narmer, who unified both Upper and Lower Egypt into one kingdom under the First Dynasty.

Found along with the mummy is an ivory statue measuring 32 centimeters in height, which is decorated with a beard and thought to be a representation of the deceased nobleman. A set of ten ivory combs was also found buried with the mummy.

Working with Egypt’ Ministry of State for Antiquities, an English archaeological team, headed by the Director of the Hierakonpolis Expedition Renée Friedman, finally unearthed the tomb and its artefacts after a lengthy excavation process.

Forensic examination of Tuesday’s dig is expected to shed further light upon this period of early ancient Egyptian history, which is largely shrouded in mystery.