Original coffin of "greatest pharaoh" Ramesses II discovered

(NLDO) - Another valuable piece of the puzzle about Ramesses II, the most praised pharaoh of ancient Egypt, has just been revealed.

According to Heritage Daily, Ramesses II was the third pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty during the New Kingdom of Egypt.

The reign of Ramesses II is often considered the most famous in Egyptian history, marked by several major military campaigns and numerous great building projects. He is also often praised as a "pharaoh of pharaohs".

A statue of Pharaoh Ramesses II - Photo: HISTORY SKILLS

Based on historical documents, most Egyptologists believe that Ramesses II ascended the throne in 1279 BC and reigned until his death at the age of about 90 in 1212 or 1213 BC.

His remains were interred in the KV7 tomb complex in the Valley of the Kings, located opposite the KV5 tombs of his sons and near the KV8 tomb of his successor, Pharaoh Merenptah.

During the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses III (1186-1155 BC) of the 20th Dynasty, the tomb of Ramesses II was vandalized by tomb robbers.

The priests transferred his remains to the tomb of Queen Ahmose Inhapy, then to the tomb of high priest Pinedjem II.

His final resting place was then the TT320 tomb, located next to the Deir el-Bahari site, in the Theban Necropolis opposite the capital city of Luxor.

The tomb was a royal burial site, containing the mummies of more than 50 pharaohs, queens, and other royals during the New Kingdom period.

The mummy of Ramesses II was discovered at TT320 during excavations in 1881.

He was found placed in a simple wooden coffin, suggesting that this was only a temporary measure until a more permanent resting place could be located and a new coffin crafted, which never happened.

However, a treasure has been unexpectedly revealed through research led by Sorbonne University (France).

Publishing in Revue d'Égyptologie, the authors said a coffin fragment discovered in 2009 at Abydos was part of the original coffin in which Ramesses II's mummy was placed.

The coffin fragment was identified as the original coffin of Pharaoh Ramesses II - Photo: Kevin Cahail

It was part of an elaborately crafted coffin, befitting the dignity of a pharaoh.

The decoration and text on the coffin fragment suggest that it was first used for Ramesses II and then reused for a high priest of the 21st Dynasty, Menkheperre (c. 1000 BC).

Menkheperre may have been the one who transported the coffin to Abydos after the KV7 tomb was looted.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/tim-ra-quan-tai-nguyen-thuy-cua-pharaoh-vi-dai-nhat-ramesses-ii-196240523104503042.htm