Ramesses II – Original sarcophagus identified in the Valley of the Kings

Lina PortmanMay 27, 2024

0 3 minutes read

Archaeologists from Sorbonne University have identified the original sarcophagus of Ramesses II, or Ramesses the Great, from a funerary complex designated KV7 in the Valley of the Kings. This tomb was near the tomb of his sons (KV5) and the tomb (KV8) of his son and successor, Merneptah. His final resting place was in tomb TT320, near Deir el-Bahari, in the Theban necropolis opposite Luxor.

Ramses II: one of the most famous pharaohs in Egyptian history

Ramses II was the third pharaoh of the 19th dynasty during the New Kingdom period, and his reign is often celebrated as one of the most illustrious in Egyptian history, characterized by significant military campaigns and numerous monumental construction projects.

Historical records suggest that Ramesses II ascended the throne in 1279 BC and reigned until his death around 1212 or 1213 BC, at the age of around 90.according to the study published in Revue d'Égyptology.

Identity photo of Ramses II, issued in 1975 when his mother left the country to clean in France.

Identity photo of Ramesses II, issued in 1975 when his mother left the country to clean in France. (Public domain)

Under the reign of Ramses III under the 20th dynasty, the tomb of Ramses II was looted. Ancient texts indicate that the priests first moved his remains to the tomb of Queen Ahmose Inhapy, then to the tomb of the high priest Pinedjem II.

THE The aforementioned Tomb TT320 is a royal cache that contains the mummified remains of more than 50 kings, queens and other royals from the New Kingdom period.

The mummy of Ramesses II was discovered in TT320 during excavations in 1881, placed in a simple wooden coffin, indicating a temporary solution until a more permanent resting place can be arranged. The study suggests that a fragment of a sarcophagus discovered in 2009 at Abydos was originally part of the sarcophagus of Ramesses II, reports Archaeological news.

Long side of the granite sarcophagus of Ramesses II.

A great discovery

This A fragment of a granite sarcophagus, found in a Coptic monastery, was recently re-examined by Egyptologist Frédéric Payraudeau of Sorbonne University, after its first discovery by Ayman Damarani and Kevin Cahail. According to Payraudeau, the decoration and texts on the fragment indicate that it was first used by Ramesses II, as evidenced by his cartouche, and then reused by a high priest of the 21st dynasty, Menkhéperre (c. 1000 BC) , who probably transported the sarcophagus. in Abydos after the looting of KV7.

“The quality of the execution and the specific references to deities such as Ra and Osiris strongly indicate that this sarcophagus was initially intended for Ramses II,” Payraudeau was quoted by Archeology magazine.

However, the original owner remained unknown until Payraudeau's detailed analysis revealed the cartouche of Ramesses II. This critical discovery confirmed that the fragment was part of the pharaoh's original burial vessel.

Tomb of Ramesses II, KV7, entrance to the fourth corridor which descends further into the tomb towards a vestibule and the burial chamber. Valley of the Kings, Egypt.

Tomb of Ramses II, KV7, the entrance to the fourth corridor which descends further into the tomb towards a vestibule and the burial chamber. Valley of the Kings, Egypt. (Dennis Jarvis of Halifax, Canada/ CC BY-SA 2.0)

Preservation techniques: mummifying the dead

This discovery highlights the considerable efforts made by the ancient Egyptians to safeguard the remains of their important rulers. As everyone knows, the central element of these practices was mummification, an elaborate process that involved removing internal organs, treating the body with natron to dehydrate it, and wrapping it in linen. The goal was to preserve the body for eternity, reflecting the belief that physical preservation was essential to the survival of the soul in the afterlife.

Even the decision to bury the pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings came later, and was born from a desire for preservation. Here, hidden rock-cut tombs were created to protect against grave robbers. These tombs were richly decorated with texts and images from the period Book of the Dead and other religious texts, designed to guide and protect the deceased in the afterlife. The choice of more hidden burial sites reflects a shift in the approach to the protection of royal remains.

It also illustrates the practice of later rulers reusing funerary objects. For example, during the 21st dynasty, the high priest Menkheperre and Pharaoh Psusennes I reused sarcophagi from earlier dynasties, reflecting a period of ingenuity amid tomb robbing.

The identification of the sarcophagus was facilitated by advanced imaging techniques and materials analysis. These technologies allowed researchers to authenticate the fragment and accurately decipher its inscriptions.

Top image: LEFT; Statue of Ramesses II, right; Long side of the granite sarcophagus of Ramesses II. Source: LEFT; British Museum/CC BY-SA 2.0 FRRIGHT; Kevin Cahail/ Egyptology Review