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A long-standing mystery has finally been solved, as the sarcophagus of Ramses II has finally been identified based on a piece of granite discovered in Abydos, Egypt in 2009. Egyptologist Frédéric Payraudeau recently analyzed the mysterious fragment and confirmed that it is indeed part of the famous pharaoh’s much-sought-after sarcophagus.
An exhibition in Paris last year, titled “Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs,” gave visitors the chance to admire Ramses II’s coffin, while his mummy is on display at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo. However, his sarcophagus has never been shown to the public – and for a simple reason: the few remains of the alabaster-decorated vessel found in Ramses II’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings near Luxor had been smashed by tomb robbers, leaving only small fragments like jigsaw puzzle pieces. But now a much larger fragment has been found: a slab of granite 1.7 meters long and 8 centimeters thick, carved and decorated. “It occupies almost an entire side of the sarcophagus.” explains Frédéric Payraudeau, Egyptologist at the Oriental and Mediterranean Laboratory, which officially identified the fossil.It lacks only the curved edges, which were probably destroyed by thieves, probably in late antiquity, in order to preserve the flat parts for reuse as paving stones.”
The 1.7-meter-long granite slab has been officially identified as belonging to the original sarcophagus of Ramses II.
Upcycled sarcophagus
The discovery took place under unusual circumstances. In fact, the Egyptologist did not discover the sarcophagus himself. In 2009, an Egyptologist named Ayman Damrani found it beneath the floor of a Coptic monastery in the Abydos region of central Egypt. In 2017, Damrani and an American colleague, Kevin Cahail, published the results of their analysis of the text and decoration on the sarcophagus, concluding that the sarcophagus was part of a sarcophagus that had been used on several occasions, including that of the high priest Menkheperre of the 21st Dynasty. The original owner of the sarcophagus, on the other hand, was described as an “unnamed prince.”
“When I read these results, I had my doubts.“Payraudeau recalled.I asked my American colleague if he could review the case, and he agreed, given its complexity.“After analyzing the hieroglyphics and inscriptions at different levels, the researcher confirmed the contention that the sarcophagus had been reused for Menkhepele. More importantly, he determined the identity of the ‘unknown prince’, who was actually a king – none other than Ramses II.”My colleagues had originally thought that the oval frieze with the word “king” in it referred to the high priest Menhepere, who ruled southern Egypt around 1000 BC. However, the oval frieze is actually from a previous carving, thus marking the first owner.”
Payraudeau also noted a decoration that caught his attention: “It depicts Book of DoorsThis is an introductory text prepared for the king during the Ramses Dynasty, which can only indicate that this is a royal sarcophagus“The last clue ended the suspense:”The royal frame bears the coronation name of Ramses II, unique to him, but obscured by the condition of the stone and a second engraving added for later use.”
Oval with the coronation name of Ramses II (black) and the name of the high priest Menkheperre (light grey).
The Valley of the Kings has long been a target for tomb robbers
Ramses II (1279-1213 B.C.) was a pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty, who ruled during the second half of the New Kingdom, the last period of glory and prosperity in ancient Egypt. He reigned for nearly 67 years, longer than his predecessors, giving him plenty of time to leave his mark. He was known as the “Builder Pharaoh,” overseeing the construction of temples throughout Egypt.It is very rare that the name of Ramses II is not found on ancient sites.Payraudeau noted.He even added it to older monuments to commemorate the memory of his reign, and it worked.”
Sarcophagus of Mernepta, successor of Ramses II, in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings. One of the sarcophagi was reused at Tanis, just as Ramses II’s sarcophagus was at Abydos.
We now know that Ramses II was buried in a gold coffin (stolen in antiquity), placed inside an inner alabaster sarcophagus (smashed to pieces when it was found in his tomb), and then inside a larger granite sarcophagus that was stolen 200 years later by Menhepela for his own tomb.This is further evidence that the Valley of the Kings was often targeted for looting, especially during the 21st Dynasty.“Payraudeau explained.”That period was a time of economic and social crisis, with severe shortages, and even monarchs reused the burial objects of their predecessors.”
The remains of Ramses II’s sarcophagus are currently stored in Abydos.”I have told my American colleagues thatthe Egyptologist said.Now it is up to them and the Egyptians to decide how to display it, such as in a museum.” ♦
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