Bahariya Oasis is famous for the White Desert, but it also holds one of the most interesting finds of modern Egyptian archaeology: the Golden Mummies.
How they were found
In 1996, the donkey of a guard working near the Temple of Alexander stumbled into a hole in the ground. Under the sand was a large cemetery from the Greco-Roman period, around 2,000 years old. Excavations started a few years later and revealed many tombs full of mummies.
Why “golden”?
Many of the mummies wear masks and chest covers made of plaster and painted with gold. Some have faces painted in a realistic style and scenes from Egyptian religion. They show how the families of the oasis mixed Egyptian, Greek and Roman traditions.
Where can you see them?
A small group of the mummies is shown in a museum in the center of El Bawiti. The visit is short, usually 20–30 minutes, and fits easily into a desert trip. Near the town you can also see the Temple of Alexander and the decorated tombs of Qarat Qasr Salim. Find more ideas in our El Bawiti travel guide.
Tips for the visit
- Opening hours are usually in the morning until mid-afternoon.
- Photography rules can change, so ask at the entrance.
- Combine the museum with the tombs and a walk in the palm gardens.
Add it to your desert trip
Ask us to include the Golden Mummies on any of our Bahariya tours, like the Cairo to Bahariya Oasis trip or the 3-day oasis and camping trip. Message us on WhatsApp for details.
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