| Ramesses VI Human Mummy | |
| |
| Biographical Information | |
|---|---|
| Name(s) | Ramesses VI |
| Age | 35-45 |
| Sex | Male |
| Status | Pharaoh |
| Height | Unknown |
| Source | |
| Culture | Ancient Egyptian Culture |
| Date(s) | Death: 1137 BC |
| Site | Original Burial: KV9
Mummy Found: KV35 Tombs are in the Valley of Kings. Cairo, Egypt |
| Current Location | |
| Location | Cairo Museum |
| Catalog # | CG61086; JE34564 |
Ramesses Nebmaatre-Meryamun was the fifth ruler of the Twentieth Dynasty of Egypt. He reigned for about eight years in the mid-to-late 12th century BC and was a son of Ramses III and his queen, Iset Ta-Hemdjert. 1145-1137 BC. He succeeded his nephew, Ramses V.
During his reign, the pharaohs continued to lose as the power to the wealthy Amun priesthood. Food and finance with other countries became highly dependent on the priesthood of Amun. In an effort to reduce the power of the priesthood, Ramses introduced his daughter to the priesthood with a role as God's wife of Amun. In military matters, he brought stability to Egypt after fighting off Syrian invaders in Thebes.
Mummification[]
The mummification process starts with a priest known as the chief embalmer who wears the mask of Anubis - symbolizing the god of death. Firstly, a hook is inserted through the nose to pull out parts of the brain from the body, then a cut is made on the left side of the body near the stomach to remove all internal organs. After the organs have dried, they are placed inside of jars - all except for the heart. The heart is placed back inside the body. Wine and herbal spices are then used to cleanse the body. After the body is cleansed, it is then submerged in natron (salt) for 70 days. The the body is then stuffed with linen to give it a more human shape. It is then wrapped with bandages from head to toe. A picture of the god Osiris is painted on the outside of the warped body and then the body is placed inside of a coffin.
Studies[]
The mummy of Ramses VI was first discovered in tomb KV35. Unfortunately, it was severely damaged by tomb robbers. When the mummy was unwrapped, the body parts were disarrayed. The right forearm and right wrist had also been chopped off prior to its discovery. A piercing was also found on the skull which was similar to other piercings found on the skulls of Ramses V, Ramses IV, Merenptah, and Seti II.
Experts speculate that the remains of Ramses VI were targeted by the ancient Egyptians because he may have been a usurper. This was brought up solely due to an undated papyrus which hints at a civil war that occurred during the king's accession.
Tomb
| Location of Burial Site | Valley Of Kings |
| Burial Number | KV9 moved to KV 35 |
| Death | |
| Name of Egyptologist | Georges Daressy |
| Ethnicity of Egyptologist | French |
| Date of discovery | 1888 |
Ramses VI was originally buried in the KV9 tomb located in the Valley Of Kings, first begun by his predecessor. The tomb is very different from most of the other royal tombs. Although it was very large his tomb was very simplistic.
| Tomb size | |
|---|---|
| Maximum height | 6.92m |
| Maximum Width | 13.03m |
| Minimum width | 2.48m |
| Total lenght | 116.84m |
| Total area | 510.07m² |
| Total Volume | 1572.26 m³ |
References[]
http://www.historyembalmed.org/egyptian-pharaohs/ramses-vi.htm
https://www.ancient.eu/article/44/mummification-in-ancient-egypt/
http://www.thebanmappingproject.com/sites/browse_tomb_823.html