The tombs, which date back to different eras, including the Late Period of ancient Egypt and the Greco-Roman civilization, contained several mummies that had golden tongues nestled in their jawbones, the statement said.

The mummies were in bad preservation condition which meant the tombs had been subject to looting, it noted.

Several skeletons enveloped in golden sheets, some human-shaped wooden tombs, potteries and materials used in mummification were also found.

Bahaa Al-Nagar, an archaeological expert, said it’s believed that "the tongues were made of gold to ensure the deceased would be able to speak in the afterlife."

He told Xinhua that in ancient times, rulers used to decorate their masks, toes, fingers and tongues with gold because it is an everlasting material whose brightness will remain forever.

Undated photo shows golden objects unearthed during archaeological excavations in Menoufia, Egypt. The Egyptian archaeological mission working at a temple in the delta province of Menoufia found several mummies with golden tongues, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced on Nov. 24, 2022. (Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities/Handout via Xinhua)

Undated photo shows a clay pot unearthed during archaeological excavations in Menoufia, Egypt.

Undated photo shows decorations unearthed during archaeological excavations in Menoufia, Egypt.

This undated photo shows the archaeological excavation site in Menoufia, Egypt.

Undated photo shows the archaeological excavation site in Menoufia, Egypt.

Undated photo shows remains of skeletons unearthed during archaeological excavations in Menoufia, Egypt.