The mummy of king Merenptah
The mummy of king Merenptah
Rather similarly to the recently crowned King Charles III, Merenptah took the throne later in life. Merenptah became king when he was approximately 70 years of age due to outliving his older brothers. He was the son of Ramesses II (also known as Ramesses the Great), who amazingly lived until he was approximately 92 years of age. Merenptah’s mother was the Queen Consort, Isetnofret.
In their search for gold, the tomb-robbers split the mummy’s right clavicle and injured the left shoulder, possibly by using a knife or an axe to cut a hole through the body.
In 1980, James Harris and Edward F. Wente conducted a series of X-ray examinations on New Kingdom Kings crania and skeletal remains, which included the mummified remains of Merenptah. The king apparently suffered from dental problems and fractures in his thighbones.
Merenptah became king when he was approximately 70 years of age, outliving his older brothers. He reigned for 10 years and died in 1203 B.C.
Merenptah reigned for 10 years and died in 1203 B.C. His tomb is in the Valley of the Kings known as KV8.
