The Mummy of Ramesses II’s Son Was Hidden for 3,000 Years

Merneptah was the son of the legendary Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II and ruled Egypt for around 10 years. In his final years, he suffered from age-related conditions including arthritis and atherosclerosis, before dying in old age. When archaeologists discovered Merneptah’s tomb, however, his mummy was missing. Then, in 1898, his mummy was discovered inside a hidden cache in the tomb of Amenhotep II, alongside 18 other royal mummies. Ancient Egyptian priests are believed to have moved and concealed these royal remains to protect them from tomb robbers. The mummy was later brought to Cairo, and its wrappings were opened on 8 July 1907. Merneptah was approximately 1.714 metres (5 ft 7½ in) tall. Most of his hair had fallen out, although thin strands of white hair remained around his temples and the back of his head. Researchers also noted similarities between his face and that of Ramesses II, while some measurements of his skull and face showed closer similarities to his grandfather, Seti I. His mummy was X-rayed in 1980 and was eventually moved to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in April 2021. 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archevault 📺 Main Channel: @Archevault