The artifact is the mummified remains, possibly of the notable Nineteenth Dynasty Pharaoh, Ramesses I, from Egypt. The timeframe is circa 1292–1290 BC, with the identity of the mummy still being a matter of academic discourse.
The preservation is exceptional, with the mummy wrapped in traditional linen. The skin exhibits a moderate darkening effect from the mummification process while retaining some flexibility. The facial structure is clear, offering views of the physical traits the ruler may have had. Notably, the mummy's hands are placed across the torso, a burial pose reserved for royalty in ancient Egypt.
The embalming techniques of the time are evident in the inflation of the mummy's abdominal region. Such steps were thought crucial to secure a successful transition to the afterlife. The mummy's wrappings are likely to conceal various amulets for added protection and guidance in the afterlife.
Upon discovery, the mummy was enclosed in an ornate anthropoid coffin, not currently exhibited with the mummy. The coffin's design follows the aesthetic norms of the Ramesside period, complete with depictions and verses from the Book of the Dead, offering support to the deceased through the underworld to the afterlife.
The artifact testifies to the advanced knowledge and practical skills ancient Egyptians held in mummification, with their work enduring over three thousand years. The potential link to Ramesses I adds prominence, connecting the mummy to the times of Seti I and Ramesses II when architectural wonders such as the funeral temple of Seti I and the Abu Simbel temples were erected.
Even as the mummy's identity remains inconclusive, its meticulous preservation and potential historical significance make it a noteworthy artifact that exemplifies the essence and splendor of ancient Egyptian history and culture.
