Mummy of Ramesses II
The mummy of Ramesses II was discovered within the Royal Cache (TT320), near Deir el-Bahari in the Theban Necropolis. This cache was utilised by ancient priests to safeguard the royal and elite mummies from the threat of tomb robbers.
Unearthed by Egyptian locals in 1871, the cache contained the remains of numerous pharaohs, including Ramesses II and his father, Seti I. The ancient priests had rewrapped Ramesses II in linen and placed him within a wooden sarcophagus. Inscribed upon both the linen and the wooden coffin were his names and titles, written in hieratic script.
The mummy of Ramesses II displayed what Egyptologists have described as an “exemplary” standard of embalming. Though ancient tomb robbers had inflicted damage, the body remained remarkably well preserved, reflecting the embalming techniques of the 19th Dynasty. These included the use of subtle packing methods. The mummy is particularly renowned for its prominent nose—undoubtedly a feature the pharaoh possessed in life. The embalmers took great care to maintain this distinct trait by packing the nasal cavity with small seeds, resin, and, curiously, a tiny animal bone.
As is common among mummies, resin-soaked linen was also found within the torso.
Recent CT scans have confirmed that Ramesses II lived well into old age, some propose over 90 years old at the time of death, with his body displaying multiple ailments associated with advanced age, including arthritis and a hunched back. Analysis of his bones, teeth, and general remains strongly supports historical accounts that suggest he was over ninety at the time of his death.
Despite his advanced years, the king’s mummy measures 170 cm in height. Given the natural shrinking that occurs with age, combined with the effects of death and the drying process of mummification, it is reasonable to infer that Ramesses II may have been considered quite tall for his era—and indeed, by modern standards.
Though the mummy suffered some damage at the hands of ancient tomb robbers, modern examination continues to provide Egyptologists with valuable insights into the final years of Ramesses II’s life.
Unfortunately, his dental health was in a dire state. Dr Saleem noted “marked tooth wear and alveolar resorption,” along with a substantial cavity at the root of his left second molar—evidence of an abscess that would have caused excruciating pain. Even in the modern age, such a condition is agonising; one can scarcely imagine the suffering of an elderly man, over ninety years of age, enduring such torment in the ancient world.
As for the precise cause of death, it remains unknown. All indications suggest that Ramesses II passed away in old age, yet the exact circumstances of his demise remain inconclusive.
Related: Mummy of Seti I
In 1974, archeologists noticed its deteriorating condition and flew it to Paris, where it was treated for a fungal infection. Before the journey, Ramesses was issued an Egyptian passport, which listed his occupation as “King (deceased).”
According to the X-rays, the king was suffering from dental problems and severe arthritis in his hip joint. Ramesses II’s mummy was sent to Paris for further studies and preservation. The king most probably died in his late eighties or early nineties.
Subsequent microscopic inspection of the roots of Ramesses II’s hair proved that the king’s hair originally was red, which suggests that he came from a family of redheads.
For a matchless ruler, who, during his reign had risen to every challenge and had enjoyed an incredibly long life span; the Afterlife posed serious difficulties for Ramesses II. His massive “House of Eternity” in the Valley of the Kings (KV7) did not survive looting in antiquity; neither was it spared by the vagaries of nature.
So, during the Third Intermediate Period, loyal priests moved his mummified remains around for safekeeping a couple of times, until it was finally deposited in tomb (TT320) – located high up in the Theban cliffs of Deir el-Bahari – in the company of several other illustrious kings.
The celebrated monarch rested in peace there until 1881 when Émile Brugsch discovered the cache of royal mummies.
Cut to modern times: Ramesses the Great has always been the cynosure of all eyes; during his lifetime and millennia after his death too. Perhaps no other king comes close to Usermaatre’s hold over popular imagination—be they in the form of books, movies or documentaries.
In 1976, Egyptologists noticed that the mummy of Ramesses II was rapidly deteriorating; and flew it to Paris for examination and treatment.
The mummy of Ramesses showcased what Egyptologists called an “excellent” quality of embalming. Despite the destruction made by ancient tomb robbers, the mummy had been fantastically preserved, and the embalming technique fitted the 19th Dynasty time period in which Ramesses II lived and died. This includes techniques of slight and subtle packing.
Ramesses’ mummy is rather famous for the prominent nose, most definitely a trait he had in life, yet the embalmers made sure to preserve this by packing his nose with small seeds, resin and strangely a small animal bone. And as with most mummies, resin-soaked linen is present in the torso too.
Recent CT scans of the mummy showcase that the king died well over 70, as many ailments that come with very old age were present, including arthritis and a hunched back. Study of the king’s bones, teeth, and general remains, do support the historic indication of Ramesses II being over 90 at the time of his death.
Despite his ailments and old age, the king’s mummy measures at 170cm. And when you take into consideration, shrinking with age, with death itself and the shrinking that the drying mummification process provides the body with, it is safe to presume Ramesses II may have been rather tall for his time period and average male height of today.
Although the mummy of the king had been somewhat damaged during the tomb robberies of ancient times, modern analysis is still very clear at providing Egyptologists with an idea of Ramesses’ final years.
Related: Mummy of Thutmose III
Unfortunately for the king, his teeth were in very bad condition; with Dr. Saleem noting “marked tooth wear and alveolar resorption;”, plus, a large cavity at the root of the left second molar; indicating an abscess that was most definitely very painful.
Coping with an abscess at any age even in modern times is extremely painful, so we can only imagine being over 90 in the ancient world dealing with such pain.
There is no cause of death currently known for Ramesses II. Thus far, all signs point to the king dying elderly, yet the cause of death itself is inconclusive.
Sources: Hawass, Z.A., Saleem, S.N. and D’Auria, S. (2018) Scanning the pharaohs: CT imaging of the New Kingdom Royal Mummies. Cairo: The American University in Cairo Press.
New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, reign of Ramesses II, ca. 1279-1213 BC. Now in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), Cairo. JE 26214
