Uncovering the Secrets of the 2,300-Year-Old “Golden Boy” Mummy: 49 Protective Amulets and a Golden Mask Revealed

Archaeologists have uncovered the secrets of a 2,300-year-old Egyptian mummy known as the “golden boy”. The mummy, which was excavated in Egypt in the 19th and early 20th centuries, was found to be adorned with 49 protective amulets and a golden mask.

Radiologists at Cairo University in Egypt used CT scans to non-invasively unwrap the remains, uncovering signs of wealth as well as efforts to ensure his safe passage to the afterlife. The scans revealed the presence of a golden heart scarab, which was used to replace the boy’s heart, as well as a gold tongue amulet which was placed inside the mouth to ensure he could speak in the afterlife.

The discovery of the amulets has shed new light on the ancient Egyptian practice of mummification and the belief in the afterlife. According to the authors of the study, the amulets were placed on and inside the body of the mummified “golden boy” to protect and provide vitality for the body in the afterlife.

The mummy has been preserved for centuries and is now providing researchers with an unprecedented insight into the ancient Egyptian culture. The findings of the study have been published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports.