Riyad Bakramum, director of the Yemeni Authority for Antiquities and Governmental Museums in Hadhramaut Governorate, southeastern Yemen, announced that three mummies were found east of Hadhramaut in the first archaeological discovery of its kind in the governorate.

Mummies in Good Condition

Bakramum confirmed on Monday that the discovered mummies are in good condition, and will be studied to learn more about their history and the mummification method used.

Ancient Mummification Method

The ancient Yemenis used raisins, camel fat, some plant leaves, resins, gum arabic, salt, and tar in the mummification process.

Past Discoveries of Mummies in Yemen

Previously, mummies were found in the areas of Sanaa, Al-Mahwit, Dhamar, Al-Jawf, and Shibam, the most prominent of which was a mummy found in 1986 dating back to about 3,200 years ago, i.e. 1200 BC. It is currently preserved in the Museum of the Department of Archeology at Sana’a University.

The Yemenis practiced mummification to meet the requirements of some ancient Yemeni rituals, and when Islam came, the Yemenis abandoned mummification.

Threats to Yemeni Antiquities

Since the outbreak of the war nine years ago, Yemeni antiquities and manuscripts have been subjected to a process of bulldozing, looting, vandalism, and smuggling out of the country.