For over a century, the mummy known as “Bashiri” has fascinated Egyptologists, yet no archaeologist has ever dared to unwrap it.
Discovered in 1919 by Howard Carter in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, Bashiri remains untouched inside his ancient burial linens. This find came three years before Carter famously uncovered the tomb of Tutankhamun.
A Unique Mummification Technique
Nicknamed “The Untouchable,” Bashiri stands out due to an extraordinary wrapping method never seen in other mummies. The linen bandages form intricate geometric patterns across the face, mirroring the design of Egyptian pyramids.
Experts believe the detailed wrapping technique signifies that the deceased held a significant position in ancient Egyptian society. However, due to the delicate nature of the embalming, no one has attempted to remove the wrappings, fearing irreversible damage to this unique method.
Scanning Without Touching: What We Know So Far
To preserve Bashiri’s remains, scientists rely on non-invasive techniques such as CT scans and X-rays to gather crucial data.
- Scans indicate Bashiri was a man approximately 167 centimeters tall.
- Studies date the mummy to the Ptolemaic period (2nd–3rd centuries BCE), a peak era of mummification practices.
- A chest ornament featuring hawk-headed beads suggests he was a person of great influence.
- Artistic decorations on the body depict deities such as Isis, Nephthys, and the sons of Horus, indicating strong religious ties.
- The feet’s casing includes two images of Anubis, the god of burial, reinforcing his elite status.
Despite all available visual evidence, the true identity of Bashiri remains a mystery.
A Name in the Shadows: Bashiri or Neno?
Within the tomb, archaeologists discovered a single inscription hastily written on a wall—possibly reading “Bashiri” or “Neno.” However, experts have yet to confirm which of these names belongs to the man within the wrappings.
Since removing the cloth coverings is not an option, scholars rely entirely on external observations and digital scans to unlock the secrets of this ancient figure.
As technology advances, researchers continue their meticulous analysis, hoping future non-invasive methods will reveal more about Bashiri’s life, status, and origins.