Hatshepsut's Mummy Identified by Tooth
Uploaded by
ScribdTranslationsHatshepsut's Mummy Identified by Tooth
Uploaded by
ScribdTranslationsMy Readings of 5th and 6th
235- THE MUMMY OF HATSHEPSUT
Before starting the reading:
1st.- Do you know what a mummy is?
2nd.- Do you know what a Pharaoh was?
THE MUMMY OF HATSHEPSUT IDENTIFIED THANKS TO A TOOTH
I had been in the basement of the Cairo Museum for three years.
27/06/2007 - OLALLA CERNUDA (El Correo de Madrid)
MADRID.- Queen Hatshepsut has been resting for years in the third basement of the
Egyptian Museum of Cairo. Scientists have had to conduct DNA tests.
and several scanners to the mummy to determine that the remains have been there for decades
locked away are those of one of the key figures of the ancient
Egypt, and not its nurse, as was thought until now. The key
I was at a tooth.
For a whole year, a team of scientists led by the doctor
Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of
Antiquities has worked hard to identify the mummy.
pointed out the Egyptian Minister of Culture, Farouq Hosni, in a press conference
press release to present the finding to the world.
To identify the mummy, archaeologists have relied on a
molar found in a funerary vessel that bore the name of the
queen, and what was found in the temple of Deir el-Bahari. The molar
fits perfectly with the mummy's dentition, to which it
that molar is precisely missing, as Hawass clarified in the press conference.
of the press. The dental professor Yehya Zakariya was the
in charge of checking the dental structure of all the mummies that
they could fit the description of Hatshepsut until she gave
with the gap that perfectly accommodated the molar that I had in my
hands. "The fitting of the molar with the mummy's jaw gives us
"it was undoubtedly Hatshepsut," he noted. "It is 100%
sure. It is a tooth that is 1.80 centimeters wide that
"it fit perfectly in the hole of the jaw," he assured.
The mummy of Hatshepsut was one of the two female mummies found in 1903.
by Howard Carter -the same archaeologist who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun- in a
small tomb in the Valley of the Kings, known as KV60. In the burial chamber, about
40 square meters, there were two mummies, and since then it was thought that one could
being of the queen and another from her wet nurse, Sitre In. The researchers qualify the
discovery as "the most important in Egyptology since 1922, the date of
discovery of the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun by the British Howard Carter.
Hatshepsut is one of the most famous queens of pharaonic Egypt: she occupied the throne.
between 1479 and 1458 BC, and was one of the 'stars' of the flourishing XVIII dynasty. She
it is dedicated to the famous temple of Deir al Bahri, one of the most attractions
visited in the city of Luxor.
91
Common questions
Powered by AIThe Deir el-Bahari temple is central to Hatshepsut's legacy as it reflects her power and architectural innovation. Its association with her reign strengthens the link between her successful rule and monumental culture, confirming her status as a significant pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty. The temple's name on the funerary vessel containing the tooth used to identify her also provides a direct link to her personal and political accomplishments, further cementing her role as a prominent figure in ancient Egypt's history .
Researchers faced challenges primarily related to differentiating between two female mummies discovered in KV60, without historical records clearly indicating identities. This was resolved by comprehensive forensic analysis, comparing dental structures to a molar tooth linked to Hatshepsut through inscription. The challenges of desiccated remains and historical ambiguity were overcome using modern technological methodologies that provided definitive evidence against traditional speculation .
The identification of Hatshepsut's mummy showcases advances in modern archaeology, particularly in the integration of forensic science techniques such as DNA analysis and medical imaging technologies like scanners. These methods allow for precise identification that corrects historical assumptions—in this case, differentiating between the queen and her nurse. It highlights how interdisciplinary approaches are essential in verifying historical artifacts and solving long-standing puzzles in archaeology .
The discovery of Hatshepsut's mummy is likely to boost public interest by providing tangible connections to a previously enigmatic historical figure, thereby promoting greater engagement with Egypt's historical narratives. For education, it offers a case study of interdisciplinary research methods, illustrating how modern technology enhances historical understanding. This facilitates enriched curriculum content and draws interest from the broader public by highlighting dramatic tales of artifact discovery and identification .
Howard Carter discovered two female mummies in a small tomb in the Valley of the Kings, KV60, in 1903. One of these was later identified as Queen Hatshepsut, making this discovery crucial to the field of Egyptology. Carter, more famously known for discovering the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922, is significant in the field for his meticulous excavation techniques and for unearthing some of the most important finds in the study of ancient Egypt .
The identification of Hatshepsut's mummy provides a unique opportunity to study royal mummification processes and burial practices during the Eighteenth Dynasty. It allows researchers to compare her mummification techniques with contemporary methods, potentially revealing variations in status-specific treatments. Understanding her burial context can inform scholars about the rituals and religious significances of the time, as well as offering insights into the logistics of royal burials in the Valley of the Kings .
The identity of Queen Hatshepsut's mummy was confirmed through the discovery of a molar tooth that fit perfectly into the jaw of the mummy. This tooth was found in a funerary vessel bearing the queen's name, located in the temple of Deir el-Bahari. The fitting of the molar with the mummy's jaw was verified by dental professor Yehya Zakariya, confirming 100% that it was Hatshepsut. This identification, considered the most important discovery in Egyptology since the tomb of Tutankhamun, resolves longstanding debates about the mummy's identity and enhances our understanding of the New Kingdom period in Egypt .
The misidentification exemplifies complexities due to factors such as insufficient labeling of artifacts and commonalities in funerary practices that blur individual identities. In ancient Egypt, mummies lacking explicit inscriptions, like those found in KV60, presented interpretative challenges, often relying on circumstantial evidence. The resolution through advanced forensic analysis underscores the necessity for precise documentation and multi-faceted investigation in elucidating historical narratives .
Scientists relied on DNA tests, scanners, and primarily the fitting of a molar tooth to conclude the mummy was Hatshepsut and not her nurse, Sitre In. The molar was found in a funerary vessel inscribed with Hatshepsut's name and fit perfectly into the jaw of the mummy, which was missing a corresponding tooth, providing conclusive evidence of the mummy's identity .
The discovery of Hatshepsut's mummy contributes significantly to understanding her reign by providing physical evidence that confirms historical accounts of her rule. As a key figure of the Eighteenth Dynasty, her identification illuminates aspects of the political and cultural dynamics of the time, such as her role as a female pharaoh and her contributions to monumental architecture, exemplified by her temple at Deir al-Bahri. This discovery allows historians to better assess the socio-political impacts of her reign, such as her trade expeditions and religious innovations .
