Rapid Fire
Mummified Baboons
- 12 Dec 2023
- 1 min read
The origin of mummified baboons in Egypt has puzzled scientists for over a century. Recently scientists uncovered the secrets behind these ancient relics using mitochondrial DNA.
- DNA analysis traced the baboons' origin to the ancient city of Adulis, in present-day coastal Eritrea.
- The study shed light on the potential location of the lost city of Punt, a significant trading partner with ancient Egypt, and Adulis.
- The findings emphasized the historical trade relationships between Egypt and Adulis, highlighting the Red Sea as a crucial node in trade history between India, Egypt, and Europe.
- Papio anubis and Papio hamadryas are both species of baboons. Baboons are Old World monkeys that are part of the genus Papio.
- Papio anubis is the most broadly distributed baboon species, ranging through most of central sub-Saharan Africa.
- Papio hamadryas is found on the African continent in the area of the southern Red Sea, in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea.
- The IUCN Red List rates them "Lower Risk, Least Concern."
