Greco-Roman mummy, tombs uncovered in Egypt oasis

CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian archaeologists carrying out excavations at the site of a planned youth center have found 14 tombs dating back to the third century BC, including one with a female mummy adorned with jewelry.

The Greco-Roman tombs, in Bahariya Oasis, 300 km (190 miles) southwest of Cairo, were discovered during probes that indicated they may be part of a much larger necropolis, Egypt's Culture Ministry said in a statement Monday.

A 97-cm (38-inch) tall female mummy, found in the stair-lined interior of one of the rock-hewn tombs, was cast in colored plaster inlaid with jewelry and eyes.

Archaeologists, who dug at the site ahead of the planned construction of a youth center, found the tombs contained other treasures as well. The area has now been turned over to Egypt's antiquities authority.

"Early investigations uncovered four anthropoid masks made of plaster, a gold fragment decorated with engravings of the four sons of Horus, and a collection of coins, and clay and glass vessels," the ministry's statement quoted Egypt's chief archaeologist Zahi Hawass as saying.

The four sons of Horus -- Imsety, Duamutef, Hapi and Qebehsenuef -- were ancient Egyptian gods. The engravings show the influence of Egyptian religion well into the Greco-Roman period.

The gods were believed to protect the stomach, liver, intestines and lungs of mummified bodies.

Bahariya Oasis is home to Egypt's famed Valley of the Golden Mummies, where a collection of 17 tombs with about 254 mummies was discovered in 1996.

(Writing and reporting by Dina Zayed, Editing by Jeffrey Heller)

Mon Apr 12, 10:46 AM ET

A handout photo released by Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities shows a sarcophagus recently discovered in Bahariya Oasis, 300 km (190 miles) southwest of Cairo April 12, 2010. Egyptian archaeologists carrying out excavations at the site of a planned youth centre have found 14 tombs dating back to the third century BC, including one with a female mummy adorned with jewellery. REUTERS/Egyptian Supreme Council/Handout

Mon Apr 12, 10:44 AM ET

A handout photo released by Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities shows a sheet of gold depicting the four sons of Horus, the ancient Egyptian sky god, in Bahariya Oasis, 300 km (190 miles) southwest of Cairo April 12, 2010. Egyptian archaeologists carrying out excavations at the site of a planned youth centre have found 14 tombs dating back to the third century BC, including one with a female mummy adorned with jewellery.

REUTERS/Egyptian Supreme Council/Handout (EGYPT - Tags: SOCIETY)

Mon Apr 12, 10:44 AM ET

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A handout photo released by Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities shows a gypsum mask unearthed alongside a sarcophagus recently discovered in Bahariya Oasis, 300 km (190 miles) southwest of Cairo April 12, 2010. Egyptian archaeologists carrying out excavations at the site of a planned youth centre have found 14 tombs dating back to the third century BC, including one with a female mummy adorned with jewellery.

REUTERS/Egyptian Supreme Council

Mon Apr 12, 10:40 AM ET

Prev 5 of 6 Next

A handout photo released by Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities shows a sarcophagus recently discovered in Bahariya Oasis, 300 km (190 miles) southwest of Cairo April 12, 2010. Egyptian archaeologists carrying out excavations at the site of a planned youth centre have found 14 tombs dating back to the third century BC, including one with a female mummy adorned with jewellery.

REUTERS/Egyptian Supreme Council/Handout (EGYPT - Tags: SOCIETY)

Mon Apr 12, 8:10 AM ET

A picture released by the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities shows a sarcaphogus recently discovered at a site in the Bahariya Oasis, south west of Cairo. Egyptian archaeologists unearthed a Roman mummy entombed in an elaborate sarcophagus at an ancient grave site alongside gypsum masks.