Archaeologists discovered several remarkable discoveries in 2022, including the tomb of a previously unknown queen, a falcon shrine with a strange inscription, and a vast tunnel beneath a temple.
Here are some of the most astounding finds made this year at ancient Egyptian archaeological sites based on LiveScience's list:
1. The 1,700-year-old Shrine With Headless Falcons
After unearthing a 1,700-year-old shrine with 15 headless falcons on a pedestal and a stone monument representing two unknown gods at Berenike, a Red Sea port, archaeologists discovered a true head-scratcher.
An iron harpoon was discovered next to the pedestal, but what truly surprised scholars was an inscription in Greek they discovered in one of the shrine's rear chambers, which said, "It is unlawful to boil a head in here."
2. The 3,300-year-old Painting of Birds in Flight
A painting depicting detailed pictures of birds in flight and perched next helped modern researchers to identify the exact species depicted in the 3,300-year-old work. They said that the "masterpiece" features a pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis), a red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio), and a white wagtail (Motacilla alba).
3. A Treasure Trove of Gold Artefacts
Archaeologists discovered a treasure trove of gold objects, including a necklace and three rings, while excavating a burial site in Akhetaten (modern-day Amarna), a city south of Cairo. One piece of jewelry struck out for its etching of Bes, often known as the "god of joy," which can be seen in ancient depictions across Egypt.
4. Mummy Portraits
Archaeologists discovered two complete lifelike mummy portraits, as well as other fragmentary pictures of those buried in the cemetery while excavating a necropolis in the ancient Egyptian city of Philadelphia. Researchers believe the deceased was likely middle-class or privileged since commissioning bespoke paintings of their likenesses would have been prohibitively expensive at the time. Mummy pictures are also extremely rare to uncover due to theft, with the last known specimens recovered in the 1880s.
5. Gold Tongues of Ancient Mummies
Mummies were frequently interred with gold tongues throughout the Greco-Roman period. The Ancient Egyptians thought that doing so would aid in the afterlife transformation of the departed into divine creatures. Archaeologists discovered many examples of this unique burial style during an excavation in an ancient cemetery near Quesna, just north of Cairo. The tombs also included numerous grave goods, like jewelry, ceramics, and gold scarabs (beetles).
6. Protective Tattoos for Childbirth
Some ancient Egyptian women would receive tattoos before giving birth as a sort of protection during childbirth. Archaeologists identified six examples of this procedure while investigating mummies buried at Deir el-Medina, a Nile River archaeological site. Finding ancient tattoos is difficult since the skin would have to be maintained, and archaeologists make it a point not to open mummies.
7. The 4,281-foot-long Tunnel Under a Temple
Archaeologists found a 4,281-foot-long (1,305 meters) tunnel beneath a temple at the ancient city Taposiris Magna west of Alexandria, Egypt. The gigantic tunnel is supposed to have been used to bring water to inhabitants at one point and is an exact copy of the Eupalinos Tunnel on the Greek island of Samos, which is regarded as an engineering wonder.
8. An Unknown Queen's Tomb
A team of researchers discovered the tomb of a previously unknown royal: Queen Neith, at Saqqara, a Giza archaeological site, and is the earliest reference to her in the archaeological record. Researchers discovered multiple coffins and mummies, some of which belonged to King Tut's closest generals and advisers, in addition to the tomb.
RELATED ARTICLE: Queen Nefertiti's Mummy To Be Revealed In Upcoming Month or Two, Egyptologist Says
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