Latest news with #Bashiri
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Archaeologists stunned by one of Britain's biggest Iron Age hoards which could rewrite history
It began, as many great discoveries do, with a metal detectorist and a lucky beep. In December 2021, Peter Heads stumbled upon what would turn out to be one of the largest and most significant Iron Age finds ever made in Britain: the Melsonby Hoard. Now, after meticulous excavation and research, archaeologists have unveiled a collection of more than 800 objects found by Heads near the village of Melsonby in North Yorkshire, England. The exact location is being kept secret. "Quite simply, this is one of the most important and exciting Iron Age period discoveries made in the UK. It sheds new light on Iron Age life in the north and Britain, but it also demonstrates connections with Europe," says Duncan Wilson, the Chief Executive of Historic England. Related Archaeologists discover oldest section of China's Great Wall, dating back nearly 3,000 years The Bashiri mystery: A 2,300-year-old Egyptian mummy that no archaeologist dares to open Described by experts as an 'archaeological time capsule,' the hoard is thought to have been buried in the first century AD, coinciding with the Roman conquest of southern Britain. Among the finds are the partial remains of at least seven four-wheeled wagons and two-wheeled chariots, an unusual discovery for Iron Age Britain. The harnesses, some complete with Mediterranean coral and coloured glass, suggest an elite class whose wealth and status were communicated through opulent transport and elaborate rituals. According to Dr Sophia Adams, a curator at the British Museum: 'This is the largest single deposit of horse harness and vehicle parts excavated in Britain. It is significant not just for the quantity of objects buried together 2,000 years ago but also the quality and range of items." Also discovered in the find were three ceremonial spears, carefully wrapped together in a bundle, as well as 28 iron tyres and two ornate cauldrons or vessels. One of these, a lidded vessel, was likely used as a wine-mixing bowl and had been deliberately buried at the bottom of a large ditch. Other items include cast copper alloy bridle bits, linchpins and rein rings. But it's not just the number of objects that has amazed researchers - it is their condition. Many were deliberately broken or burned before burial, a ritual that raises intriguing questions about Iron Age society. Was this an ostentatious display of power? A funerary rite? Or an offering to the gods? The find has also reignited debate over Britain's connections to continental Europe before the Roman conquest. While some objects match those previously unearthed in Britain, others have clear European parallels, hinting at extensive trade networks and shared technologies. Valued at £254,000 (€304,000), the Melsonby Hoard is the focus of a new fundraising campaign by the Yorkshire Museum in York, aiming to make it available for public viewing.
Euronews
25-03-2025
- Science
- Euronews
The Bashiri mystery: A 2,300-year-old Egyptian mummy that no archaeologist dares to open
ADVERTISEMENT A mummy, known as the 'Untouchable,' was discovered nearly a century ago in the Valley of the Kings region of the ancient city of Luxor. Renowned Egyptologist Howard Carter made the discovery in 1919, three years before he found the magnificent tomb of Tutankhamun . The method used to tie the embalming cloths of this ancient corpse has not been used on any other mummy. The wrapping of the fabrics has created an intricate pattern on the mummy's face which resembles the architectural design of Egypt's famous pyramids. The amount of precision and finesse in the mummy's packaging suggests that this individual was a very important figure in ancient Egyptian society. But the identity of the body remains unknown, as opening the mummified cloths to study it may irreparably damage this unique mummification technique. Related 4,000-year-old tablets found in Iraq reveal ancient red tape Scientists have used other methods to look inside of it and have found clues about its identity. CT scans and X-rays, performed without ever touching the mummy , have revealed to researchers that the mummy of 'Bashiri' was a man about 167 centimetres tall. Scholars argue that the mummy dates back to the Ptolemaic period, between the 2nd and early 3rd centuries BCE. Bashiri dates back to the 3rd century BC. Vania Teofilo/Wikipedia The art of mummification was at its peak during this era. The mummy offers a unique view of burial rites during the Ptolemaic period and is currently kept in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The cloth roles and drawings on the mummy's face resemble the architectural design of Egyptian pyramids, which may indicate the degree of respect and high status of this individual in society. Related British-Egyptian archaeologists reveal pharaoh's tomb after nearly a century in 'significant find' Archaeologists unearth 4500-year-old Ancient Egyptian tomb with astonishing treasures But why can't scientists unravel this mummy? Opening the mummy's cloth is the most direct way to obtain information about the remains within it. But these fabrics are very delicate and fragile, and damaging them would destroy the only known example of this mummification technique. For this reason, specialists have used non-invasive methods such as CT scans and X-rays. The researchers say observing the mummy's decorative appearance offers information about this person's place in life. For example, the lateral lock on his chest is made of several rows of beads and has barbs in the shape of a hawk's head, which is considered a sign of wealth and influence. The bodice covering the mummy's body contains scenes of the deceased lying on a bed surrounded by the deities Isis and Nephthys. Also present at his side are the four sons of the god Horus, child of Isis. Join Euronews Farsi Telegram Channel The veneer of the mummified feet also features two depictions of Anubis, the god of burial. These details suggest that this individual was a very wealthy and important man, but none of these clues have led to the discovery of his name. ADVERTISEMENT The mysterious mummy from 2,300 years ago Josse Leemage/ Egypt Musuem The only extant indication of this individual's identity is an inscription hastily written inside his tomb, which may be the name 'Bashiri' or 'Neno'. However, experts have so far been unable to determine with certainty which name is the correct one. Specialists continue to use non-invasive methods to study these amazing remains and may uncover more clues about the mummy's identity. Until then, Bashiri's mummy will remain shrouded in a halo of mystery.
