Egypt: Researchers discover 2000 mummified ram heads in ancient Egyptian temple

In a recent discovery, more than 2,000 mummified ram heads and a palatial old kingdom were unearthed by archaeologists at the temple of Ramses II in the ancient city of Abydos in southern Egypt. If reports are to go by, this discovery is linked to the Ptolemaic period.

Referring to this, the Egyptian Ministry for Tourism and Antiquities stated that the mummified remains are believed to have been left at the site to honour Ramses II around 1,000 years after his death.
Reports have it that mummified dogs, ewes, cows, wild goats, gazelles, and mongooses were discovered in the site along with the ram heads, which are believed to be offerings indicating continuing reverence for Ramses II.

The Ministry further added that the recent discovery would expand knowledge of the site, and help researchers learn more about the period of more than two millennia up to the Ptolemaic period. The Ptolemaic period spanned around three centuries until the Roman conquest in 30 B.C.
Abydos is located around 270 miles south of Cairo, which is also one of Egypt's lesser visited archaeological sites. The site served as a necropolis for early ancient Egyptian royalty and a pilgrimage centre for the worship of the god Osiris.

Apart from the mummified remains of the animals, the team of researchers also discovered a large palatial structure, featuring walls that are around 5m thick from the Old Kingdom's sixth dynasty, along with several statues, ancient tree remains, papyri, leather garments, and more.
As per the researchers, the structure would likely help them to reestablish the sense of the ancient landscape of Abydos before the construction of the Ramses II temple.