Thousands of animal mummies discovered at an ancient Egyptian archaeological site

At least 2,000 mummified ram heads from the Ptolemaic period, along with a grand Old Kingdom structure, were uncovered at Ramses II's temple in the ancient city of Abydos in southern Egypt, officials from the antiquities ministry reported on Saturday.

Along with the ram heads, mummified ewes, dogs, wild goats, cows, gazelles, and mongooses were found at the temple. These are believed to be votive offerings, symbolizing ongoing devotion to Ramses II at the site, nearly 1,000 years after his passing, according to the tourism and antiquities ministry.

The discoveries are expected to significantly enhance our understanding of the site, spanning over two millennia, including the Ptolemaic period. This period lasted for about three centuries, ending with the Roman conquest in 30 BCE.

Abydos, situated in the Sohag governorate of Egypt, approximately 270 miles (435 kilometers) south of Cairo, is one of Egypt's key, though relatively underexplored, archaeological sites.

Abydos served as a necropolis for early Egyptian royalty and a major pilgrimage destination for the worship of the god Osiris.

The excavations were conducted by a team from New York University's Institute for the Study of the Ancient World.

In addition to the mummified animal remains, the team discovered a massive palace structure with walls around five meters (16 feet) thick, dating back to the Old Kingdom's sixth dynasty. They also found statues, papyri, preserved tree remnants, and leather garments and footwear.

According to Sameh Iskander, the head of the mission, the structure may provide valuable insights into the ancient landscape of Abydos, before the construction of Ramses II’s temple.