A recent archaeological dig at the Al-Bahnasa site in Egypt's Minya Governorate has unearthed a collection of fascinating artifacts, including gold "tongues" and "nails," dating back to the Ptolemaic period (305 BC to 30 BC).

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the discoveries, highlighting the unearthing of various amulets, jars depicting ancient Egyptian deities (Ra, Isis, Horus, and Osiris), and the surprising 13 gold tongues. The finds were made within Ptolemaic-era tombs adorned with vibrant engravings and writings.

The joint expedition, a collaboration between the University of Barcelona and the University of Chicago, also discovered a gold mummy medal, ancient Egyptian texts, and depictions of landscapes. These artifacts offer valuable insights into the region's history and religious practices during the Ptolemaic era.

Inside one tomb, archaeologists found two heart scarabs placed within the mummy, along with 29 amulets of Ra's pillars, two scarabs representing deities like Horus, Thoth, and Isis, and a combined representation of the three deities. A rectangular stone burial well led to a tomb containing a main hall and three chambers filled with numerous mummies, suggesting an ancient mass burial ground.

One chamber's walls showcased colorful drawings and inscriptions depicting the tomb's owner and family members before deities like Anubis, Osiris, Horus, Atum, and Thoth. The ceiling featured a painting of the goddess Nut against a starry blue backdrop, surrounded by sacred vessels carrying deities such as Khepri, Atum, and Shara.

Prior excavations at the site have revealed graves from the Greek and Roman periods, an ancient Catholic basilica, and the Temple of the Osireion. The ongoing archaeological mission promises to uncover more secrets from this historically rich area.