The mummy that was unearthed in the Dahashur North archaeological site in northern Egypt

The mummy was in a sealed wooden coffin unearthed in the Dahashur North archaeological site in northern Egypt.

The mummified man is believed to date back 3,500 to 4,000 years, earlier than the era of Tutankhamen, the ancient pharaoh who ruled in 1336 B.C. to 1327 B.C., Yoshimura said, citing characteristics of the coffin.

The mummy, wearing a mask painted in vivid blue and red shades, is of high academic value because it is "a perfect mummy that has escaped robbery and other damage," he said on his Web site.

The coffin is painted yellow and inscribed with hieroglyphics in light blue, he said, adding the hieroglyphics show the mummified man was an administrative officer.

The Japan Times Weekly: Jan. 29, 2005
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