The mummified body of an Egyptian nobleman found in 2019 has been discovered to be older than previously thought, rewriting parts of history in the process.
The nobleman, called Khuwy, has been dated back to the Old Kingdom, 1,000 years earlier than researchers previously believed, making Khuwy one of the oldest Egyptian mummies to ever be discovered.
“If this is indeed an Old Kingdom mummy, all books about mummification and the history of the Old Kingdom will need to be revised,” professor Salima Ikram, head of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo, told The Guardian’s Observer.
“This would completely turn our understanding of the evolution of mummification on its head. The materials used, their origins, and the trade routes associated with them will dramatically impact our understanding of Old Kingdom Egypt,” Ikram said.
The revelation about Khuwy’s remains will be one of numerous discoveries revealed during the upcoming season of the National Geographic documentary series, “Lost Treasures of Egypt.” Following a team of international archaeologists during an excavation project in Egypt, the third season will premiere Nov. 7.
The new information surrounding Khuwy will be the subject of episode 4, “Rise of the Mummies,” on Nov. 28.
Tue, Oct. 26, 2021
