Mummified Baboons | 12 Dec 2023

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."