Finally, a team of archaeologists from the University of Sorbonne in France has announced a sensational discovery. Researchers have identified the true sarcophagus of Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great. The tomb of the most powerful ruler of Ancient Egypt had been considered lost for over 3,000 years.
The archaeologists revisited a mysterious burial site beneath the floor of a monastery in the city of Abydos, located in central-eastern Egypt, and identified a granite sarcophagus belonging to Ramses II.
The pharaoh, who ruled from 1279 to 1213 BC, is remembered as an outstanding military leader and builder. Under his reign, colossal statues and structures rose across Egypt, marking the last peak of the empire’s power.
Ramses II, the third pharaoh of the 19th dynasty of Egypt, is regarded as its most powerful and famous ruler. He led several military expeditions and expanded the empire from Syria in the east to Nubia in the south.
But after his death, his body was restless for a long time
The recent discovery was made by a team led by Egyptologist Frédéric Payraudeau, who is also a lecturer at the University of Sorbonne.
He analyzed a fragment of granite found in Abydos back in 2009 and ultimately deciphered, with the help of colleagues, an inscription on the stone measuring five feet long and three inches thick. It read: “Ramses II.” This translation was confirmed at the National Center for Scientific Research in France.
“When I first saw these results, I was filled with doubts. I consulted with my American colleague about whether I should revisit the case, and he encouraged me,” said Monsieur Payraudeau.
It’s worth noting that the pharaoh was buried in the Valley of the Kings in a golden coffin. His mummy was later transferred to a granite sarcophagus. The tomb was soon looted by thieves, and priests repeatedly attempted to protect the pharaoh’s mummy from robbers by moving it from one secret location to another.
Scientists discovered that Ramses II’s sarcophagus came into the possession of the high priest named Menkheperre around 1000 BC. Most likely, he hid the sarcophagus in Abydos for reuse.
In 1881, the mummy of Ramses the Great was unexpectedly found in a wooden coffin. This may have been an attempt to conceal the pharaoh’s body once again, as reported by the Daily Mail.
“This discovery provides new evidence that the Valley of the Kings was not only a target for looting but also for the reuse of burial items by subsequent rulers,” explained Frédéric Payraudeau.
By the way
In 2022, Egyptian and British scientists recreated the appearance of Ramses II. They created a 3D model of his skull and reconstructed his facial features.
The result was the first scientific reconstruction of the pharaoh’s face in history, based on a CT scan of his skull.
Salim Zucker from Cairo University, who created the 3D model of Ramses the Great’s skull, reported that researchers ultimately saw quite a handsome ruler.