Gebelein predynastic mummies

The **Gebelein predynastic mummies** are six bodies from Ancient Egypt that turned into mummies naturally because of the dry sand. They date back to approximately 3400 BC. These were the first complete bodies from that time period ever discovered. They were dug up at the end of the 1800s by Wallis Budge from shallow graves in the desert near Gebelein. However, other researchers have conducted experiments showing that the mummification process does not change hair color. These studies support the idea that a small number of ancient Egyptians could have had naturally fair or red hair.

Budge found all six bodies in the same area. Two were identified as men and one as a woman, while the sex of the others is not known. They were sent to the British Museum in 1900. When they were found, the bodies were buried with items like pots and stone tools, but these items were lost and never made it to the museum. Three of the mummies were wrapped in covers made of reed mats, palm fibers, or animal skins. The bodies were all found in a fetal position, lying on their left sides.

Since 1901, the first body found in this group (nicknamed "Ginger" for his red hair) has been on display at the British Museum. Scientists used carbon dating to confirm that he lived around 3400 BC. This matches the Naqada II period of ancient Egyptian history.

## Excavation 
In the late 1800s, archaeologists began to find pottery that was older than the famous Pharaohs of Egypt. This discovery made many researchers interested in the "Predynastic" period. In 1896, a local resident told E. A. Wallis Budge that more mummies had been found at Gebelein. Budge realized these were the first complete bodies ever found from this era.

Budge dug up a total of six bodies from shallow sand graves in an area known as the "Waterless River." This preserved the skin and hair naturally before the body could rot.

All bodies were in similar flexed positions lying on their left sides with knees raised up towards their chin. In comparison, most bodies excavated from Egypt dating to the predynastic period are in a similar position, however at Merimda Beni Salama and El-Amra bodies were found on their right sides. From the time these bodies were buried up until the Middle Kingdom period, the dead were laid on their sides. After this period they were buried on their backs (dorsal position), and from the Fifth Dynasty the bodies were always fully extended.

 decorated jar, next to the mummy]]
Archaeological interest in Gebelein started in the early 18th century and was included in Benoît de Maillet's ''Description de l'Egypte*. The site includes the remains from a temple to the deity Hathor with a number of cartouches on mud bricks and a royal stela from the 2nd Dynasty and 3rd Dynasty. Later period finds include 400 Demotic and Greek ostraca from a 2nd–1st century BC mercenary garrison. As well as official excavations, many artefacts from the site were traded on the antiquities market and can be found in the museums of Turin, Cairo, Berlin, Lyons and the British Museum.

## Description
The bodies were buried in separate shallow graves, placed in the fetal position (knees raised towards their heads), which was the most common form for Egyptian burials of the time.

The first body that was excavated had red hair. Because of this, museum staff gave it the nickname "Ginger", and the name later became popular with the public. After the Human Tissue Act 2004, the British Museum created new rules for the ethical care of human remains and stopped using this nickname. 

### Death of Gebelein Man
In November 2012, researchers announced that EA 32751 (Gebelein Man) had probably been murdered. A CT scan carried out at the Cromwell Hospital in London showed that he was about 18 to 20 years old when he died and was physically strong. The scan found a deep wound under his left shoulder blade. The weapon struck with great force, slightly damaging the shoulder blade, breaking a rib, and piercing the lung. Experts believe the wound was caused by a copper blade or flint knife at least 12 cm long and 2 cm wide. Daniel Antoine of the British Museum said there were no signs of defensive injuries, suggesting the attack was sudden and unexpected. 

## Exhibition history
. In 2001, the body was displayed in Birmingham at the Gas Hall during the *Egypt Revealed'' exhibition.

Before the 2001 loan, the body was conserved. Japanese kozo paper was used to secure a loose finger, reattach a rib, and fix some loose hair. Strips of polyethylene were also added to limit movement of the right arm.

## Related pages
*Ötzi the Iceman, a rough contemporary.

## Footnotes
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