The discovery of Khuwy’s mummy has shifted the timeline of Egyptian mummification, suggesting that these complex techniques were in use a millennium earlier than previously thought.
Khuwy, a nobleman who lived during Egypt’s Old Kingdom between 2575 and 2150 BC, is among the oldest mummies ever unearthed. His preserved remains have led Egyptologists to reconsider the origins of sophisticated mummification methods.
Prior to this discovery, it was believed that advanced preservation techniques, such as the use of resins and intricate bandaging, only emerged around 1,000 years later.
The Guardian reported that Khuwy’s remains exhibited preservation methods unexpected for his time. His skin was treated with resin derived from tree sap, and the mummy was wrapped in linen bandages, practices typically associated with later periods. This find could indicate a significant advancement in embalming knowledge during the Old Kingdom.
Salima Ikram, a leading Egyptologist at the American University in Cairo, highlighted the potential impact of Khuwy’s mummy on the field. She noted that Old Kingdom mummification was previously thought to be rudimentary, mainly involving simple drying techniques without brain removal and limited use of resins.
More emphasis was placed on the outward appearance of the deceased rather than the internal preservation. If Khuwy indeed dates to the Old Kingdom, Ikram believes, it could necessitate a major reevaluation of historical understandings of mummification practices.
She stated, “If the research confirms that Khuwy is indeed an Old Kingdom mummy, the entire narrative of mummification history will need to be rewritten.” Such a finding would revolutionize scholars’ comprehension of the development of embalming techniques in ancient Egypt.
More details about this groundbreaking discovery will be unveiled in a documentary titled Lost Treasures of Egypt, airing on November 7 by National Geographic. The documentary will delve into the dating process and analysis of Khuwy’s remains, which were excavated in 2019 at the Saqqara necropolis.
