More than 2,000 mummified ram heads dating back to the Ptolemaic era (305-30 BC) and a palatial structure from the Old Kingdom’s Sixth Dynasty (2345-2181 BC) have been unearthed in Abydos, el-Balyana, Sohag Governorate.

The discovery was made by the American archaeological mission from New York University working in the area of King Ramses II Temple in Abydos.

Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziry said the findings reveal more about the Rameses II Temple in Abydos and the surrounding area.

“It will greatly contribute to knowing its location and the life it witnessed for more than 2,000 years; from the Sixth Dynasty to the Ptolemaic era,” he said.

The pharaohs of the First and Second Dynasties were buried in Abydos. Abydos was a place of pilgrimage for pious Egyptians, who desired above all else to be buried as close as possible to the recognised tomb of Osiris there.

Waziry added that the mission also unearthed a number of mummified animals including ewes, dogs, wild goats, cows, deer and mongooses.

“These mummified animals were found in one of the newly discovered storage rooms within the northern precinct of the temple,” he said.

Sameh Iskandar, head of the mission, said that these mummified ram heads may have been used as votive offerings in the worship of rams in Abydos during the Ptolemaic period.

“The discovery also shows Ramses II was revered in Abydos 1,000 years after his death and that we have another view of the activities and architecture of the Old Kingdom in Abydos,” Iskander said.

Magdy Shaker, chief archaeologist at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, hailed the new discovery. He told The Egyptian Gazette that this archaeological mission is headed by an Egyptian-American and all its workers are mostly Egyptians.

He pointed out that the ram was referring to Amun, king of the gods. He is represented in human form, sometimes with a ram’s head, or as a ram.

“The recent finding proves the great impact of the Egyptian religion as it continued even during the Ptolemaic era,” he said.

“Abydos was the place of pilgrimage. According to the ancient Egyptian belief, the pilgrimage ritual was associated with sacrifice, and the discovered mummified ram heads and other animals are the votive offerings,” Shaker added.

The mission also found parts of the northern wall surrounding the temple and its annexes.

Mohamed Abdel-Badie, Head of the Central Department of Upper Egypt Antiquities, said that this discovery will change our ideas about the shape of the temple of King Ramses II and what has been described, drawn and circulated among scholars and researchers since the temple was discovered more than 150 years ago.

Abdel-Badie added that the mission also discovered parts of statues, papyri, remains of ancient trees, clothes and leather shoes.

“The mission will continue its excavation work at the site to reveal more secrets,” he said.