Egyptologists are hopeful that ongoing investigations using non-invasive techniques may finally uncover the identity of the Bashiri mummy, a century-old mystery of ancient Egypt, according to the Daily Mail.
CT scans and X-rays have been used to study the Bashiri mummy without compromising its integrity, reported Enikos. These non-invasive techniques have allowed researchers to determine that the mummy was once a man who stood about five and a half feet tall (approximately 1.60 meters).
Dating back to the Ptolemaic era, between the second and early third centuries BCE, the Bashiri mummy exemplifies the peak of mummification artistry and sophistication, as noted by Youm7.
The mysterious Bashiri mummy has captivated Egyptologists for more than a century. Known as the untouchable one, the mummy was discovered by renowned Egyptologist Howard Carter in 1919 in the Valley of the Kings near Luxor, reported Enikos. This discovery occurred three years before Carter uncovered King Tutankhamun's tomb.
The technique used to wrap the Bashiri mummy has never been seen in any other mummy, according to Youm7. The complex arrangement of bandages over the mummy's face resembles the architectural design of the Egyptian pyramids, noted the Daily Mail. This intricate wrapping indicates the reverence and respect held for the individual. The care suggests that this person was of great importance in ancient Egyptian society.
The shroud covering the body features scenes including a depiction of the mummy lying on a bed surrounded by the goddesses Isis and Nephthys, as well as the four sons of Horus. The casing around the feet is adorned with images of the funerary god Anubis, and the covering around the legs is also decorated with images of Anubis, who opened the way to the other world for the dead.
The broad collar covering the chest is made of several rows of beads and includes falcon-headed clasps, indicating wealth and importance.
Despite these clues, experts have not reached a specific interpretation of the inscription found inside the Bashiri mummy's tomb, which may spell Bashiri or Nenu. This uncertainty has prevented researchers from learning the name of the individual represented by the mummy, and his identity remains largely unknown.
Opening the mummy's cavity would be the most direct way to learn more about the remains inside. However, the wrappings are extremely delicate, and damaging them would destroy the only known evidence of this particular embalming technique.
