4000-Year-Old Mummification Workshops Unearthed In Egypt; Game Changer For Its Tourism Industry

by Sanjana Shenoy
4000-Year-Old Mummification Workshops Unearthed In Egypt; Game Changer For Its Tourism Industry

Egypt since time immemorial piqued the interest of travellers with its mesmerising Pyramids of Egypt and its ancient way of embalming bodies— mummies. There’s a game changer for Egypt’s tourism industry as the country recently unearthed ancient mummification workshops used to mummify human and animal bodies.

Egypt Discovers Ancient Mummification Workshops In Saqqara

According to a report by Hindustan Times, tombs and mummification workshops dating back to over 4000 years old were discovered in Egypt’s Saqqara. With the latest string of discoveries, Egypt hopes to revive its tourism industry post the COVID-19 pandemic. The secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mostafa Waziri revealed to NBC that they discovered the largest embalming space — one for humans and the other for animals.

Mummification Workshops egypt
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In Mostafa Waziri’s words, they call it a house or a workshop. The mummification workshops and tombs were discovered in an ancient burial site in Saqqara —part of the country’s old capital, Memphis. At the UNESCO World Heritage site, he revealed to reporters that the tombs date back to 4400 years. Archaeologists came across tombs decorated with everyday life scenes like images of cultivation and harvest.

Also Read: Egypt Is No 1 On Top 50 Destinations Globally For Middle East Travellers List

Tombs Belonging To Priests Also Unearthed

After a year-long excavation near goddess Bastet’s sanctuary, archaeologists were successful in unearthing the tombs and mummification workshops. Goddess Bastet’s sanctuary housed tombs of mummified cats. At the very same spot, archaeologists discovered hundreds of mummified animals in 2019. Other revelations also include small 3400-4400-year-old tombs belonging to priests. There were also inscriptions of hunting, cultivation and daily activities on the walls of Ne Hesut Ba’s tomb.

Mummification Workshops egypt
Picture Credits: Canva

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Egypt hopes with the discovery of mummification workshops and tombs, the country’s tourism industry can rebound from the issues faced during the Ukraine conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the years, there have been many high-profile discoveries in Saqqara. This is just one more added to the vast number.

If you’re planning to head to Egypt soon, a new state-of-the-art space near Giza Pyramids will come up soon. This is apart from the Grand Egyptian Museum for history buffs.

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