This completely intact mummy is the first ever discovered at the ancient "city of the dead" known as Deir el-Banat, near the oasis of El Faiyum.

Archaeologists unearthed several intact mummies during recent excavations at the site, but none were as well preserved as this female mummy, which survived generations of grave robbers without damage.

“There are not so many [well-preserved] mummies in El Faiyum at the moment. They are very rare,” said Galina Belova, the Russian Egyptologist who led the excavation.

The mummy is covered in brightly colored cartonnage, a papier-mâché-like material that was plastered over the remains and decorated with images and writing.

• More Photos in the News
• Today's Top 15 Most Popular Stories
• Free Email Newsletter: "Focus on Photography"