Latest news with #AncientEgyptian
CNN
11 hours ago
- Science
- CNN
4,000-year-old handprint found on ancient Egyptian tomb
A 4,000-year-old handprint has been discovered on a clay model used for offerings in an Ancient Egyptian tomb. Researchers from Cambridge University's Fitzwilliam Museum, in the United Kingdom, stumbled upon the imprint while preparing for an exhibition, which is set to open this fall. It was found on the base of a 'soul house,' a building-shaped clay model typically found in burials and said to have provided a place for the soul to live, according to a press release from the museum. The model has an open space at the front where food offerings, like bread, lettuce or an ox's head, could be placed. Dating back to about 2055–1650 BCE, the soul house underwent extensive examinations that revealed how it was made four millennia ago. It showed that the unnamed potter would have first created a framework of wooden sticks for the two-story building, which was then coated with clay. The firing process would have burnt the wood away. The handprint was found underneath the soul house and was most likely formed when the potter moved the model while the clay was still damp and before it was fired in a kiln. 'We've spotted traces of fingerprints left in wet varnish or on a coffin in the decoration, but it is rare and exciting to find a complete handprint underneath this soul house,' said Helen Strudwick, senior Egyptologist at the museum and curator of the exhibition. 'This was left by the maker who touched it before the clay dried,' she said in the release. 'I have never seen such a complete handprint on an Egyptian object before. You can just imagine the person who made this, picking it up to move it out of the workshop to dry before firing.' 'Things like this take you directly to the moment when the object was made and to the person who made it, which is the focus of our exhibition,' Strudwick added. Vast amounts of pottery have survived from the ancient Egyptian period as ceramics were widely used for functional objects and decorative pieces. It was common for pottery containing food and drink to feature in burials. While much is known about ancient Egyptian rulers like Tutankhamun, the stories of those who made some of the many artifacts discovered in their tombs is often overlooked. The ready availability of clay and low value of pottery is likely to have affected social status of potters, according to the museum. The soul house will be on display at the Cambridge museum as part of the 'Made in Ancient Egypt' exhibition, which aims to highlight the stories of artisans like the one who left this handprint behind. It opens on October 3. Discover your world Go beyond the headlines and explore the latest scientific achievements and fascinating discoveries. Sign up for CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Incredible complete handprint found on ancient Egyptian tomb ornament in museum – that had gone unnoticed for millennia
AN INCREDIBLE detail on an Ancient Egyptian tomb item that had gone unnoticed for millennia has been spotted. This "rare and exciting" Advertisement 4 The complete handprint was spotted on an ancient clay model Credit: PA 4 Helen Strudwick, curator of Made in Ancient Egypt, views a 4,000-year-old ancient Egyptian handprint Credit: PA 4 It will be shown at the forthcoming exhibition Made in Ancient Egypt opening in October Credit: PA A complete handprint was spotted on a clay model designed to go inside a tomb. It is likely the hand of the object's maker, who would have touched it before the clay set, an The hand print is estimated to have been left a Helen Strudwick, senior Egyptologist at the Fitzwilliam Museum, said: "We've spotted traces of fingerprints left in wet varnish or on a coffin in the decoration, but it is rare and exciting to find a complete handprint underneath this soul house. Advertisement read more in tech "This was left by the maker who touched it before the clay dried. "I have never seen such a complete handprint on an Egyptian object before." The print was found on the base of a "soul house" - a These soul houses may have acted as offering trays - or as a place for the deceased's soul to reside. Advertisement Most read in Science Live Blog This particular model is dated to 2055-1650 BC. It is set to go on display at the university's Made in Ancient Egypt exhibition, which opens on October 3. First look inside incredible immersive Egyptian experience coming to Glasgow Strudwick added: "You can just imagine the person who made this, picking it up to move it out of the workshop to dry before firing. "Things like this take you directly to the moment when the object was made and to the person who made it, which is the focus of our exhibition." Advertisement Analysis suggests this item was made by coating a framework of wooden sticks with clay to form a two-storey building. Its staircases would have been made by pinching the wet clay. The use of ceramics was widespread across Ancient Egypt - both for functional and decorative use. It is not the only amazing Egyptian discovery to be reported in recent weeks. Advertisement Researchers have used modern technology to learn more about The Bashiri Mummy, also known as the "untouchable one". This mummy has long remain fully wrapped up due to fears of causing damage to the intricately tied fabric. But X-ray and CT scanners have allowed researchers to unveil ancient mysteries without causing such harm to artefacts. Scans revealed that the that Bashiri Mummy would have been an adult man who stood about 5.5 feet tall. Advertisement 4 This particular model is dated to 2055-1650 BC Credit: PA
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Incredible complete handprint found on ancient Egyptian tomb ornament in museum – that had gone unnoticed for millennia
A complete handprint was spotted on a clay model designed to go inside a tomb HAND THAT TIME FORGOT Incredible complete handprint found on ancient Egyptian tomb ornament in museum – that had gone unnoticed for millennia AN INCREDIBLE detail on an Ancient Egyptian tomb item that had gone unnoticed for millennia has been spotted. This "rare and exciting" discovery was found on the artefact as it was prepared for display at a museum exhibition. 4 The complete handprint was spotted on an ancient clay model Credit: PA 4 Helen Strudwick, curator of Made in Ancient Egypt, views a 4,000-year-old ancient Egyptian handprint Credit: PA 4 It will be shown at the forthcoming exhibition Made in Ancient Egypt opening in October Credit: PA A complete handprint was spotted on a clay model designed to go inside a tomb. It is likely the hand of the object's maker, who would have touched it before the clay set, an Egyptologist at Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum said. The hand print is estimated to have been left a jaw-dropping 4,000 years ago. Helen Strudwick, senior Egyptologist at the Fitzwilliam Museum, said: "We've spotted traces of fingerprints left in wet varnish or on a coffin in the decoration, but it is rare and exciting to find a complete handprint underneath this soul house. "This was left by the maker who touched it before the clay dried. "I have never seen such a complete handprint on an Egyptian object before." The print was found on the base of a "soul house" - a building-shaped clay model placed inside a tomb. These soul houses may have acted as offering trays - or as a place for the deceased's soul to reside. This particular model is dated to 2055-1650 BC. It is set to go on display at the university's Made in Ancient Egypt exhibition, which opens on October 3. First look inside incredible immersive Egyptian experience coming to Glasgow Strudwick added: "You can just imagine the person who made this, picking it up to move it out of the workshop to dry before firing. "Things like this take you directly to the moment when the object was made and to the person who made it, which is the focus of our exhibition." Analysis suggests this item was made by coating a framework of wooden sticks with clay to form a two-storey building. Its staircases would have been made by pinching the wet clay. The use of ceramics was widespread across Ancient Egypt - both for functional and decorative use. It is not the only amazing Egyptian discovery to be reported in recent weeks. Researchers have used modern technology to learn more about The Bashiri Mummy, also known as the "untouchable one". This mummy has long remain fully wrapped up due to fears of causing damage to the intricately tied fabric. But X-ray and CT scanners have allowed researchers to unveil ancient mysteries without causing such harm to artefacts. Scans revealed that the that Bashiri Mummy would have been an adult man who stood about 5.5 feet tall.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Science
- The Sun
Mysteries of 2,300-year-old mummy Bashiri ‘The Untouchable' revealed after researchers refused to unwrap ancient fabric
MODERN technology has helped shed further light on an Ancient Egyptian mystery after spending millennia under wraps. The Bashiri Mummy, also known as the "untouchable one", has long remained unravelled - as researchers have feared causing damage to the intricately wrapped fabric. 5 5 5 It is believed by some sources that Egyptologist Howard Carter discovered this mummy in the Valley of the Kings. This is the same area he would famously go on to uncover King Tutankhamun's tomb. But according to Discover magazine, the most that is known for sure is that the "untouchable one" was found, but that no researchers have dared attempt to unfurl its cloth. Prior to the invention of X-ray and CT scanners, people would unwrap these ancient mummies to study them - causing severe damage. New technology has lessened the need for such methods of study, allowing researchers to learn more about ancient artefacts while inflicting less harm on them. It brings them one step closer to understanding the mysteries of the Bashiri Mummy. The untouchable one's face wrappings are said to be unique, featuring a pattern resembling the base of a pyramid. According to the American Museum of Natural History, "In the past, the only way to learn about a mummy was to unwrap it. "But this widespread practice destroyed the mummy, often detaching body parts." Scans have now revealed fresh details about the mummy. Researchers have established that the Bashiri Mummy would have been an adult man who stood about 5.5 feet tall. He would have lived in the Ptolemaic Era - which spanned from 305 BC to 30 BC. This makes the mummy around a staggering 2,300 years old. The X-ray scan also showed an inscription of the man's name, according to the Egypt Museum. However, it is not fully clear if Pacheri or Nenu are written, leaving some mysteries around the mummy still unresolved. The museum added that the mummy's encasement was decorated with "various scenes arranged in registers, notably the mummy lying on a bed, surrounded by the goddesses Isis and Nephtys, and the four sons of Horus." "Finally, the casing around the feet has two images of the funerary god Anubis," it adds. It is not the only incredible discovery of the Ancient World unveiled in recent weeks. A network of dimly lit tunnels under Rome's Capitoline Hill could soon become the city's latest tourist hot spot. The secret underground city covers some 42,000 square feet under the Ancient Roman Forum - and reaches depths of 985 feet below the surface. It is expected to be open for visitors from late 2026 or early 2027, CNN has reported. 5 5
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Science
- The Irish Sun
Disturbing Ancient Egyptian graves reveal brutal treatment of corpses 5,000 years ago including shock teen girl's burial
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered a disturbing Ancient Egyptian burial practice that saw people dismembered before being put to rest. The discovery offers a rare insight into the spiritual life of villagers more than 5,000 years ago - and may even mark the beginning of religion for the ancient pharaohs. 3 Using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, researchers analysed patterns among more than 900 tombs across the 74-acre Adaiima site Credit: Alcouffe, A., Duchesne, S., Tupikova, I. et al./ Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory Researchers found the remains of a teenage girl whose arm had been deliberately severed after her death and positioned to match her left arm. The girl's left arm was bent unnaturally in a more than 90degree angle and tucked in very tightly. The limb was removed near the lower part of the upper arm and forearm, possibly done using an axe. The muscles were most likely sliced with a flint blade, according to researchers. READ MORE ON ANCIENT EGYPT Her severed arm was carefully arranged to appear almost intact, with the hand placed beside the forearm. Buried in the Adaiima cemetery on the west bank of the Nile river, the remains date back to between 3300 to 2700 BC. The girl's body was carefully aligned with the setting sun on the winter solstice, while her coffin also pointed towards the rising of Sirius, the brightest star in the sky. Celestial alignments, and other symbolic gestures, likely influenced the religious traditions later embraced by Egypt's first pharaohs who emerged between 100 and 400 years later. Most read in Science 3 Buried in the Adaiima cemetery on the west bank of the Nile river, the remains date back to between 3300 to 2700 BC Credit: Getty Her burial may also be the earliest sign of the Osiris and Isis myth - where the goddess Isis reassembles the dismembered body of Osiris beneath the rising Sirius. The tale is thought to symbolise death, rebirth, and cosmic order. Ancient Egyptian Tombs: Over a Thousand Mummies Unveiled The cemetery her remains were found in is one of Egypt's oldest and most thoroughly studied, and paints a detailed picture about how funerary practices changed over time. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, researchers analysed patterns among more than 900 tombs across the 74-acre Adaiima site. Another coffin that was positioned to catch the winter sun contained a woman buried with ornate jewelry and pottery. A third grave, also belonging to a woman, faced the summer sunset and contained a ceremonial staff and plant-fiber wig. The study suggests these early burials shaped the mythology later adopted by Egypt's ruling elite - from their sky-based alignments to their ritual gestures, such as dismemberment. Older graves were placed around earlier, astronomically-aligned tombs, suggesting those burials held continued to hold religious or ancestral significance over the years. Ivory boat models and fine coffins were found with remains researchers believed once belonged to individuals of higher status or spiritual importance. Similar to the dismemberment, a singular bone belonging to a child was found placed on the chest of an adult in a later tomb. In the myth of Osiris, Isis gathers the scattered body parts of her murdered husband after he is slain by his jealous brother, Set. "Sepdet, which we know as Sirius, was believed to be the appearance of Isis in the sky," the study said. "When the state emerged, it did not create religion from scratch. "It absorbed long-standing practices and reworked them into royal narratives." 3 The limb was removed near the lower part of the upper arm and forearm, possibly done using an axe Credit: Alcouffe, A., Duchesne, S., Tupikova, I. et al./ Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory
