Аrсһаеоⅼоɡ𝗂ѕtѕ һаvе unсоvеrеԁ а nеⱳ mуѕtеrу: аⅼmоѕt 2,000 rаm ѕkuⅼⅼѕ unеаrtһеԁ 𝗂n Eɡурt’ѕ Rаmѕеѕ 𝖨𝖨 tеmрⅼе.

Cairo — Archaeologists have announced the discovery of more than 2,000 rams’ heads at the temple of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II — a find that surprised even veteran Egyptologists and demonstrated Ramses’ impact, as the skulls were left there a millennium after the pharaoh’s rule.

The find was uncovered by a team of archaeologists from New York University’s Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW) at Abydos, one of Egypt’s oldest towns and richest archaeological sites. It is located in Upper Egypt, about seven miles west of the Nile River, about 270 miles south of Cairo.

The ram skulls were discovered stacked in the temple’s northern precinct, according to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which revealed the finding on Saturday.

“We came across some random pieces of skulls first,” said Dr. Sameh Iskander, the ISAW mission’s leader, to CBS News. “We had no idea what they were, but as we continued our excavation and exploration, we discovered an entire area filled with ram skulls.”

The find was uncovered by a team of archaeologists from New York University’s Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW) at Abydos, one of Egypt’s oldest towns and richest archaeological sites. It is located in Upper Egypt, about seven miles west of the Nile River, about 270 miles south of Cairo.

The ram skulls were discovered stacked in the temple’s northern precinct, according to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which revealed the finding on Saturday.

“We came across some random pieces of skulls first,” said Dr. Sameh Iskander, the ISAW mission’s leader, to CBS News. “We had no idea what they were, but as we continued our excavation and exploration, we discovered an entire area filled with ram skulls.”

“We are certain they were all dumped at the same time, so this was not an accumulation of skulls brought in over the years,” he told CBS News. “They came from somewhere else and were dumped into this magazine at some point for some reason we don’t know yet.” “It is significant because this is not just any place in the temple where they ended up, so they were brought there for a reason.” They weren’t only thrown in the desert, but inside the temple’s hallowed realm.”

The archeologists also discovered a massive edifice composed of mudbricks with walls around 16 feet thick going back roughly 4,200 years to the Sixth Dynasty of ancient Egypt.

“It is a significant structure that will alter our perception of Abydos’ landscape.” This wall was at least 30 feet high and was erected for something.” said Iskander. “We’re not sure what this wall is. It’s probable that there was an ancient Abydos wall that was never discovered. Is it possible that it’s anything else? Perhaps that’s what we’re working on right now.”

Other mummified animal remains discovered by the mission included dogs, goats, cows, and gazelles.

Aside from the gigantic edifice, one very little thing drew Iskandar’s attention.

“We also discovered a small bronze bell in excellent condition with the clapper, so we can hear the ancient sound.” “I was overjoyed to find it,” he remarked. “It was most likely used to mark a herd.”

After returning to New York, the chief of the American mission, whose team has been working at the Abydos site since 2008, talked to CBS News. He stated that more study was needed to uncover answers for the most recent finds.

“I hate saying ‘we don’t know,’ but that’s the nature of archaeology.” We continue to work on results that may or may not lead to anything,” he said, adding that he and his colleagues may need to “leave it to the next generation — they may have a better concept or other discoveries.”

“Every year, we come back very happy with the new finds, but we also come back with a huge sack full of questions,” he explained.

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