The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Friday, 9th January 2009 (1219 views)

An ancient Egyptian mummy with gold finger wrappings believed to have been a queen has been unearthed by archaeologists.

Thought by Egyptian archaeologists to be the mummy of Queen Seshestet, the body was found in a recently discovered pyramid in Saqqara south of Cairo.

According to experts, there are indications within the burial chamber that the mummy is that of Queen Seshestet, mother of King Teti, a pharaoh who ruled around 2,300 BC.

Zahi Hawass, Egypt's head of antiquities, announced the find and explained that gold finger wrappings and pottery items had been uncovered inside the sarcophagus.

The burial chamber itself appeared to have been raided by tomb robbers centuries ago and any other items of value taken.

Meanwhile, archaeologists discovered a hoard of more than 250 seventh century AD gold coins hidden in a wall during excavations in Jerusalem.

Dating from the Byzantine period, the gold coins depict the Emperor Heraclius.

 

« Back to Gold News stories