2,000 Mummified Ram Heads Unearthed in Ancient Egyptian Temple May Have Been Offered As Tribute to Ramesses II

Researchers were able to uncover over 2,000 mummified ram heads in an ancient Egyptian temple. The skulls could have been offered as tribute to pharaoh Ramesses II around a millennium after his passing. Findings show that even after 1,000 years, the late pharaoh was still revered.

2,000 Mummified Ram Heads

As per Live Science, these heads were unearthed in Ramesses II's temple in the ancient city of Abydos. The structure was constructed to honor the late pharaoh, who ruled over Egypt from around 1279 B.C. until 1213 B.C. Behind this discovery was a group of archaeologists from the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World at New York University.

The temple of Ramesses II was found 150 years ago. It does not harbor the late pharaoh's remains. Intriguing features of the structure include a black stone arch and pillars that have depictions of Osiris, who is an ancient Egyptian deity known to die and return to life.

Following its discovery, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in Egypt notes that these skulls were spotted stacked in the temple's northern precinct. CBS News reports that Dr. Sameh Iskander, who heads the mission of the ISAD, notes that they encountered random skull pieces at first. They were clueless as to what the fragments were. However, in the course of their exploration and excavation, they discovered an area full of mummified ram heads.

Some remained covered in mummification bandages, while most of them were completely fleshless.

Even Egyptologists were surprised by the huge number of unearthed skulls. Dr. Iskander explains that they are quite sure that the skulls were placed at the same time, so it was not a number that resulted from gradual accumulation through the years.

What makes the findings even more significant is that the area on which the skulls were placed was not just any place in the ancient temple. They were intentionally brought to the revered temple tomain.

Tribute to the Late Pharaoh

The researchers also spotted the remains of different animals, including ostriches, deer, dogs, goats, and cows. These animal remains likely date to around a millennium after the late pharaoh ruled ancient Egypt. They were likely left behind as a tribute to the late pharaoh.

Ramesses II is known for a number of reasons. For one, the late pharaoh had a remarkably long rule, which spanned 66 years. He also significantly expanded the empire of ancient Egypt and kept alliances with neighbors.

He is often depicted as a "great warrior king" in artwork. However, according to Britannica, records suggest that the late pharaoh's military prowess could have been overhyped.

Check out more news and information on Ancient Egypt in Science Times.