Maiherpri

Measuring at 5’4.75 inches tall, the mummy of Maiherpri showcases a young man of approximately no more than 25-30 years of age.

Sadly, little is known about Maiherpri, and the only sources found thus far that give us a little knowledge about him are the titles discovered within his tomb (KV36). Maiherpri’s name translates to “Lion of the Battlefield”, which could indicate a role in the military, as he also holds the titles, “One who follows the King on his marches to the Northern and Southern foreign countries” and “Fan-bearer on the Right Side of the King”.

It is known that the Ancient Egyptians would recruit archers of Nubian origin into their military, and we do have picture evidence of such men being fan bearers in scenes of war. It is therefore possible that Maiherpri worked within such roles. The fact that he was buried within the Valley of the Kings, could perhaps incline us to believe Maiherpri had a close-bond with the king or kings he served, or at the very least had a trusted relationship that the king wanted his trusted “Fan-bearer” buried near to him at death. “Fan-bearer on the Right side of the King”, would indicate a closer bond than a general fan bearer.

Maiherpri also held the title, “Child of the Nursery”. This title indicates that Maiherpri could have been raised in Egypt from youth or birth. It is usually associated with foreigners or offspring of foreign royalty who would live in Egypt or the royal harem (a household for women and children, rather than the sexual rather orientalist idea of a harem).

Maiherpri’s Mummy

The tomb of Maiherpri was discovered in 1899 by Victor Loret. Maiherpri’s mummified body was unwrapped by Georges Daressyon the 22nd of March, 1901, and those who studied the mummy, discovered, Maiherpri was extremely well embalmed, with even a gold foil placed upon the scar of incision upon his hip. Despite skin missing on the soles of his feet, that Egyptologists believe was caused during the embalming process rather than any robbery, Maiherpri’s mummy was in great condition.

At first glance, most noticeable is that Maiherpri’s mummy has a beautiful head of tight curls adorning his head, however upon closer inspection, it was discovered that his hair was actually a wig sewn into the scalp of his mummy. Why this was, we cannot be sure, as further investigation has yet to occur. Could it be covering a wound? Could it have been a cosmetic choice? We shall have to wait and see.

Also noticeable was the fact that Maiherpri was an uncircumcised male, which could indicate a foreign traditional practice that differed to the Ancient Egyptians despite possibly growing up within Egyptian culture. Circumcision was “widely prevalent” in Ancient Egypt as far back as the Old Kingdom, and most likely goes back further than that. (Read more: https://egypt-museum.com/circumcision-in-ancient-egypt/)

Maiherpri’s cause of death is unknown, there are no noticeable wounds or outer sign of physical illness that could give us an answer. You may expect a war-like wound, considering his titles, alas, nothing noticeable thus far indicates a cause of death. Perhaps in the future, with more modern and non-intrusive technologies, we will finally learn more about Maiherpri and how he came to die, and where he may have originated.

Nubian Noble

Based upon the artistic depictions and the mummy of Maiherpri, it is generally accepted that Maiherpri was of Nubian origin (contrary to popular misconception; Nubia was not a specific location or even a nation, but the general name for the vast region south of Egypt’s southern border. People of varied cultures and tribes, which sometimes included Egyptians who settled – mostly family of southern border workers or tradesmen or gold miners. The name “Nubia” comes from the Ancient Egyptian word for “gold”, “Nub”).

Maiherpri’s skin is dark brown, but most mummies tend to have dark grey skin due to the mummification process (oils, resins), so a mummy’s colour (Egyptian or otherwise) is not a real indication of how one’s skin looked in life. Maiherpri’s phenotype does resemble a Nubian or Sub-Saharan more so than an Egyptian, and his titles would add additional proof of his non-Egyptian origin.

Before his mummy was unwrapped, Egyptologists working on the tomb did propose Maiherpri was likely of Nubian origins based upon how he was depicted within his Book of the Dead.

Maiherpri’s Tomb, KV36

Sadly, it appears Maiherpri’s tomb, like most other Egyptian tombs, faced its fair share of historical tomb robbers, but despite this, Maiherpri’s tomb left us with some wonderful ‘treasures’, some of which give us an insight into his status within Egyptian society. To be buried in the Valley of the Kings is quite a feat, thus it would be expected that Maiherpri’s tomb and burial would have exceeded the expectations of most others of non-royal status. Some in fact did propose that maybe Maiherpri was a half brother to Thutmose IV, or perhaps a son of a king from a Nubian mother, but there is no indication of royal status or title, and it is more likely that he was a noble with a trusted bond to the king or royalty of whom he served. Especially considering his titles and some funerary item were military based.

Maiherpri’s mummy was adorned with a cartonnage mummy mask (Egyptian Museum, Cairo. CG 24096) covered in gold leaf. He was buried within a wooden coffin (Egyptian Museum, Cairo. CG 24001) measuring 9 feet in length, and adorned with resin and gold leaf detailing. Maiherpri’s organs were preserved in Canopic Jars within a wooden Canopic Chest (Egyptian Museum, Cairo. CG 24005), so greatly made it is more compared to the royal Canopic chests than others that have been discovered within tombs of those with less status.

Maiherpri was also buried with textile items such as a linen loincloth, and an Osiris funerary bed made of linen over a wooden frame.

Perhaps, a nod to Maiherpri’s military lifestyle, Maiherpri was buried alongside a collection of arrows (Nubians were prolific archers, who were recruited into the Egyptian army). As well as, quivers & wrist guards and even two dog collars. Dogs were used by the Egyptian military, as seen in many battle scenes within the New Kingdom period.

When did Maiherpri live?

It has never been certified, to which king Maiherpri worked under. Although, based upon his funerary objects and mummification process, it was most definitely within the New Kingdom period, and almost certainly the 18th Dynasty. Some seem certain it was Thutmose IV (grandfather of Akhenaten, father of Amenhotep III) who Maiherpri shared a close-knit bond with as fan-bearer and “Lion of the Battlefield”. However, Maiherpri was also found with a linen shroud with the cartouche of Hatshepsut upon it. This led some Egyptologists like, Steindorff and Quibell to believe Maiherpri may have lived somewhere between the reigns of Hatshepsut’s father Thutmose I to Thutmose III.

Based upon some objects, such as a vase found within the tomb, Gaston Maspero first also dated Maiherpri to the reign of Amenhotep II, something Egyptologist Cyril Aldred agreed with, but later Maspero changed his mind to the reign of Amenhotep III instead, as there was a striking similarity between the items found in the tomb of KV46, belonging to Thuya and Yuya (parents of Great Royal Wife of Amenhotep III, Tiye), and those funerary items of Maiherpri.

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