A Roman-era cemetery has been uncovered in Minya, Egypt, bringing renewed focus to the ancient site of Al-Bahansa and its burial traditions.
The excavation was led by researchers from the University of Barcelona, together with the Institute of the Ancient East, under the direction of Dr Maite Mascort and Dr Esther Ponce Milado.
The team identified several burials, including mummies placed in wooden coffins. Some of which were wrapped in patterned textiles.
Several artefacts were recovered from the site. Among them were small tongues made of gold and one of brass, positioned inside the mouths of the dead. Archaeologists link these items to beliefs about communication after death. Other finds include decorated wrappings and coffin remains.
Sherif Fathi, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, said the discovery adds to recent work in Minya, a region known for its rich archaeological record. He pointed to the area’s long history and the range of cultures that passed through it.
Hisham El-Leithy of the Supreme Council of Antiquities said the cemetery provides evidence of burial customs in Al-Bahansa, known in antiquity as Oxyrhynchus, during the Greek and Roman periods. One burial contained a papyrus with lines from the Iliad by Homer. The passage refers to the “Catalogue of Ships,” describing forces involved in the Trojan War.
Work near the site known as the Golden Cemetery (No. 67), first recorded in 2024, uncovered a limestone structure with three chambers. In one chamber, a large jar held cremated remains of an adult along with infant bones and the head of a bird, wrapped in cloth. Another chamber contained remains of two individuals and animal bones.
Archaeologists also recovered small terracotta and bronze figures. Some represent Harpocrates, while another resembles Cupid, indicating overlapping religious traditions.
Parts of the cemetery show signs of earlier disturbance, likely from looting. Even so, the site continues to provide material for study. Hassan Amer of Cairo University said the presence of gold and copper tongues alongside the mummies supports written accounts of burial customs in the period and offers direct physical evidence of those practices.
Sources : Ministry of Tourism