Discovered 'historical shock' in 4,000-year-old mummy: History books must be rewritten!

The latest archaeological discovery of scientists says that the ancient Egyptians carried out mummification 1,000 years earlier than previously calculated by historical researchers . And the latest discovery of this mummy could lead to a rewrite of history books.

This is the proof!

Oldest Egyptian mummy of all time

Archaeologists unearthed the mummy at the Saqqara necropolis, south of Cairo, in 2019. Hieroglyphs on the wall of the tomb where the deceased were laid to rest indicate that the burial took place during the period of the Second Dynasty. year of the Old Kingdom of Egypt.

The preserved mummy is a high-ranking nobleman named Khuwy .

Although discovered in 2019, until now, after using carbon-14 dating techniques, researchers have determined: Khuwy mummy is more than 4,000 years old and is one of the mummies. Oldest Egypt ever discovered.

Khuwy's mummy dates back to the Old Kingdom of Egypt (dating from 2686 to 2181 BC), indicating that the ancient Egyptian technique of mummification dates back to more than 4,000 years ago - much earlier. 1,000 years compared to the calculations of modern scientists.

A scientist examines Khuwy's mummy. (Photo: Ian Glatt / National Geographic / Windfall Films).

The sophistication of the embalming process and the materials used - including exceptionally fine linen and high-quality resin - is not thought to have been achieved until 1,000 years later (i.e. 3,000 years ago). . And this is the "wrong" judgment of previous scientists. Because Khuwy's "perfect" mummy proved it.

Professor Salima Ikram, Dean of the Department of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo and a leading expert on the history of mummification, told the Observer/Guardian : "If this is indeed an Ancient King mummy, it's true Egypt, all the books on mummification and the history of the Old Kingdom will have to be rewritten!".

She added: "This will completely change our understanding of the development of mummification . The materials used, their origins and the trade routes involved. they will significantly influence our understanding of the Old Kingdom of Egypt".

The mausoleum was lavishly decorated more than 4000 years ago. (Photo: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities)

"So far, we think the process of mummification in the Old Kingdom was relatively simple, with the basic drying method - which is not always successful - without removing the brain, and only occasionally. Sometimes internal organs are removed," added Professor Salima Ikram.

Indeed, people pay more attention to the external appearance of the deceased than to meticulous preservation of the internal organs. In addition, the much more restricted use of the sap in Old Kingdom mummies has been documented to this day.

Meanwhile, the reality is that this mummy is covered with sap and cloth. This gives a completely different impression of the mummification process of the ancient Egyptians. In fact, it resembles mummies found 1,000 years later, scientists say.

The mausoleum where the mummy was found has splendid murals, painted in "royal colors" - a hint that Khuwy may have been related to the pharaoh Djedkare Isesi of the Fifth Dynasty . And Khuwy may be of the "royal royal family" lineage with the pharaoh of the time, My Modern Met commented.

The tomb's L-shaped architecture, especially the tunnel entrance commonly found in pyramids - especially in the Great Pyramid of Giza, further shows that Khuwy was a man of high status, CNN reported.

That's incredible!

Ancient embalmers bathed bodies in a luxurious resin made from tree sap, to preserve the flesh before wrapping the bodies. This mummy is impregnated with the highest quality resin and wrapped in the highest grade bandages.

Professor Salima Ikram exclaimed: " It's extraordinary! The only time I've seen so many good quality linens was in the 21st dynasty."

This is one of the key discoveries revealed in National Geographic 's documentary series , titled "Lost Treasures of Egypt" , which begins its release November 7, 2021. .

This documentary series produced by Windfall Films and cinematographers follows international archaeologists during the excavation season in Egypt. Discovery of mummies will be available in episode 4 - titled "Rise of the Mummies" - on November 28.

Painting on the wall of Khuwy's tomb. (Photo: Ian Glatt / National Geographic / Windfall Films)

Professor Salima Ikram will appear in that episode 4 along with archaeologist Dr Mohamed Megahed, who says of the latest archaeological discovery: "If it really is Khuwy then that 4,000-year-old mummy is a breakthrough in the history of ancient Egypt in particular and the history of mankind in general".

Uncovering a mummy in a lavish tomb in the Saqqara necropolis was filmed in the previous season of National Geographic . The investigation of chronology and its analysis comes in a new series. Hieroglyphs reveal that it belonged to the Khuwy, a royal family that lived more than 4,000 years ago.

Tom Cook, producer of the Windfall Films series, said: " Archaeologists know the pottery in the tomb belongs to the Old Kingdom period but do not think Khuwy mummy is from that period because it is. been preserved so well . They do not think that time the embalming process again so advanced. "

So the filmmaker's reaction was utter astonishment. From amazement to admiration for the top-notch mummification techniques of the ancient Egyptians. Then Tom Cook and the archaeological team were caught up in the irresistible attraction of history.

Carolyn Payne, the editor in charge of National Geographic , says that what makes the series so unusual is that it follows a whole group of different archaeologists over the course of one season and successively makes startling discoveries. .

The narrator of the documentary series commented: "With each new excavation of the body by archaeologists, the story of Egypt's mummies becomes clearer" .