Egyptians Discover Queen Hatshepsut Mummy
Egyptologists are certain they have discovered the legendary mummy of Hatshepsut — the most infamous queen to ever rule ancient Egypt — in an unassuming tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
The Discovery Channel will be announcing the finding as the most important discovery in the Valley of the Kings since that of King Tutankhamun. Egypt will be holding a press conference in Cairo on Wednesday. Photo AFP
An archaeologist who asked not to be named, said the mummy they believe to be Hatshepsut was one of two females found in 1903 in a small tomb believed to be that of Hatshepsut’s wet-nurse, Sitre In.
Other Egyptologists have speculated over the years that one of the mummies was that of the queen, who ruled from between 1503 and 1482 BC — at the height of ancient Egypt’s power.
The unnamed archaeologist said Egypt’s chief archaeologist, Zahi Hawass, would present new evidence for an identification but that not all Egyptologists are convinced he will be able to prove his case, reports Yahoo News.
“It’s based on teeth and body parts … It’s an interesting piece of scientific deduction which might point to the truth.” the archaeologist said.
Egyptologist Elizabeth Thomas speculated many years ago that one of the mummies was Hatshepsut’s because the positioning of the right arm over the woman’s chest suggested royalty.
Her mummy may have been hidden in the tomb for safekeeping after her death because her stepson and successor, Tuthmosis III, tried to obliterate her memory.
Donald Ryan, an Egyptologist who rediscovered the tomb in 1989, said on an Internet discussion board this month that there were many possibilities for the identities of the two female mummies found in the tomb, known as KV 60.
“Zahi Hawass recently has taken some major steps to address these questions. Both of the KV 60 mummies are in Cairo now and are being examined in various clever ways that very well might shed light on these questions.” he added.
He was more optimistic about the mummy found in the wet-nurse’s coffin and traditionally identified as the nurse’s. That mummy is stored away in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Temple of Hatshepsut
Hatshepsuts Temple — Luxor, Egypt
This clip captures some additional shots of the temple.
Related stories:
Ancient Egypt Aristocrat Tomb Discovered
King Herod’s Ancient Tomb Found
Gladiators Graveyard Discovered
Construction of the Great Pyramids – Surprising Truth Revealed
Ancient Egyptian City Discovered from Space
I recently saw on the Discovery Channel where in the Valley Of The Kings they found many many tombs and burial sites. Perhaps there is another a mother load of antiquities in one of these tombs, similar to King Tut.
I wasn’t aware of that Lynn. This is very exciiting news!
This particular tomb had been discovered in the early 1900’s, it’s only very recent that the reasearches have been able to make positive connections to Hatshepsut.
I’m anxious to hear results of this new discovery in the Valley of the Kings!
i learned so much from this video i watched thanks for teaching me what i want to learn and needed to learn.
THANKS ALOT JACKY.
[...] mummy of an Inca girl called “la Doncella” (Spanish for “the Maiden”), went on display for the [...]