Archaeologists recently unearthed over 2,000 mummified ram heads and a grand Old Kingdom palace at the temple of Ramses II in the ancient city of Abydos in southern Egypt. This discovery, reportedly linked to the Ptolemaic period, is believed to have left the mummified remains at the site around 1,000 years after Ramses II's death as an offering of reverence to the ruler.
The excavation team also found mummified dogs, ewes, cows, wild goats, gazelles, and mongooses, indicating a continuing admiration for Ramses II. This discovery is expected to enhance understanding of the site and shed light on the period that spanned over two millennia up to the Ptolemaic era that lasted three centuries before the Roman conquest in 30 B.C.
Abydos, located 270 miles south of Cairo, served as a necropolis for early Egyptian royalty and a pilgrimage center for Osiris worship. The site is also one of Egypt's less visited archaeological sites.
Besides the mummified animals, the researchers also discovered a vast palatial structure with walls approximately 5 meters thick, dating back to the Old Kingdom's sixth dynasty.
The excavation team also found several statues, ancient tree remains, papyri, leather garments, and more. The researchers believe the structure will help them reconstruct the ancient landscape of Abydos before the construction of the Ramses II temple
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