The discovery of more than 2,000 mummified rams' heads in the Temple of King Ramesses II in Abydos

The American archaeological mission affiliated with New York University, working in the area of the temple of King Ramses II in Abydos, succeeded in uncovering more than 2,000 mummified rams' heads dating back to the Ptolemaic era, in addition to a huge building from the Sixth Dynasty.

This was stated by Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stressing the importance of this discovery, which unveils important details in the life and history of the Temple of King Ramesses II in Abydos and the surrounding area, especially in light of the archaeological and historical importance of this temple, which contributes greatly to the knowledge of the site. The temple and the life it witnessed for more than two thousand years, from the Sixth Dynasty to the Ptolemaic era.

He added that the mission also uncovered a number of mummified animals next to the heads of rams, including a group of ewes, dogs, wild goats, cows, deer and mongooses, which were found placed in one of the newly discovered storage rooms inside the northern area of the temple.

For his part, Dr. Sameh Iskandar, head of the mission, indicated that the discovery of this large number of mummified rams may have been used as votive offerings during the practice of an unprecedented worship of rams in Abydos during the Ptolemaic period, in addition to that it may indicate that King Ramesses II was revered in Abydos. He remained after his death for a thousand years.

As for the discovered huge building, which dates back to the era of the Sixth Dynasty, it is characterized by a different and unique architectural design, as it is distinguished by its huge thick walls, which are about five meters wide, pointing out that this building will contribute strongly to reconsidering and thinking about the activities and architecture of the Old Kingdom in Abydos, and about the nature of And the shape of the place and the activities that were taking place in it before Ramesses II established his temple and the accessories that surrounded it.

Professor Mohamed Abdel-Badi, head of the Central Department of Upper Egypt Antiquities at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, added that the mission also succeeded in uncovering parts of the northern wall of the wall surrounding the temple and its appurtenances, which calls for changing what has been entrenched in the minds about the shape of the temple of King Ramses II and what was described and drawn for it. It has been circulated among scholars and researchers since it was discovered more than 150 years ago, in addition to finding parts of statues, parts of papyri, remains of ancient trees, clothes and leather shoes. The mission will complete its excavation work at the site to reveal more about the history of this site and to study and document what was revealed during the current excavation season.