⁉️ The Egyptian mummy "The Untouchable" that no scientist dares to open

The so-called Bashiri mummy, nicknamed "The Untouchable", holds a unique place in modern Egyptology. Discovered in 1919 in the Valley of the Kings, it has never been opened due to the exceptional complexity of its wrappings.

These form a rare geometric pattern, with no known equivalent. Some specialists associate them with architectural representations similar to pyramids. This uniqueness has led researchers to favor strict conservation, at the expense of formal identification. More than a century after its discovery, Bashiri remains one of the most enigmatic relics of ancient Egypt.


Analyses conducted to date rely solely on non-invasive methods. X-ray and tomography examinations have estimated that the deceased was an adult male, approximately 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) tall, who lived during the Ptolemaic period, around the 2nd or early 3rd century BCE. However, these data remain fragmentary. The condition of the wrappings prohibits any direct handling, which limits access to potential funerary objects and inscriptions that could reveal his precise identity and status.

This methodological choice fits into a recent evolution in Egyptian archaeology. For several years, researchers have increasingly favored non-destructive techniques, in order to preserve vestiges deemed unique. In 2025, several discoveries in Egypt relied on advanced imaging, particularly to map internal structures of pyramids or analyze sealed tombs. The case of Bashiri falls within this trend, where heritage protection takes precedence over intrusive exploration, even when scientific expectations are high.

Studies conducted on mummification resins and fabrics have identified mixtures, sometimes associated with specific rituals or particular social categories. The richness and precision of Bashiri's wrapping suggest an individual of high rank, possibly linked to a religious or administrative function. However, in the absence of clearly legible inscriptions, these hypotheses remain cautious and open.

Technological progress nevertheless fuels hope for new advances. Higher-resolution imaging tools, combined with artificial intelligence, are beginning to be used to virtually reconstruct internal layers without physical contact. These approaches are currently being tested on other mummies and sarcophagi. Applied to Bashiri, they could allow reading text fragments, visualizing amulets, or refining anatomical analysis, while preserving the integrity of the shroud.

Housed at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Bashiri mummy has become a symbol of contemporary dilemmas in Egyptology. It embodies the tension between the quest for knowledge and the need to preserve irreplaceable witnesses of the past.