Identity and Discovery: The Storied Royal Caches
The Royal Mummies of Egypt would have remained a myth had they not been safeguarded by loyal priests. Consequently, rampant tomb robbery during the Third Intermediate Period (c. 1070–712 BCE) forced priests of the 21st Dynasty to gather, re-wrap, and hide their royal ancestors. These actions led to the two most spectacular finds in Egyptian archaeology.
The Deir el-Bahari Cache (TT 320)
The first great find occurred in 1881. Specifically, locals discovered a hidden tomb near the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, officially designated TT 320 (or DB 320). Initially, the tomb belonged to the family of the High Priest of Amun, Pinedjem II. However, the priests repurposed it as a massive communal hiding place for dozens of monarchs.
The Discovery: The find was unofficial. Indeed, members of the Abd el-Rassul family discovered it as early as the 1870s. Subsequently, the appearance of specific royal artifacts on the antiquities market alerted authorities. Upon official investigation in 1881, the cache was hastily cleared by Émile Brugsch within 48 hours. Consequently, valuable archaeological data on the positioning of the mummies was lost forever.
Key Identities of DB 320: This cache contained a spectacular assembly of royalty. Most notably, it included some of the most powerful pharaohs of the New Kingdom:
- Ramesses II (The Great): His mummy was famously well-preserved, despite having been damaged by robbers and later re-wrapped.
- Seti I: His mummy is often cited as the pinnacle of the embalmer’s art. Furthermore, his serene, well-preserved features offered a direct view of a 19th Dynasty king.
- Thutmose III: Known as the “Napoleon of Egypt” for his military genius.
- Ahmose I: The founder of the New Kingdom (18th Dynasty).
The Second Royal Cache (KV 35)
A second, equally vital cache was discovered 17 years later. In 1898, Egyptologist Victor Loret discovered the tomb of Amenhotep II (KV 35) in the Valley of the Kings. Significantly, Loret found the original owner, Amenhotep II, still resting in his sarcophagus. However, the side chambers contained a relocated group of nine other royal mummies.
Key Identities of KV 35: This cache primarily protected 18th and 19th-Dynasty rulers. The transfer was meticulous, with the mummies carefully re-wrapped and tagged with hieratic dockets detailing the moves. Rulers found here included:
- Amenhotep III: The father of Akhenaten.
- Thutmose IV: Found alongside his father.
- Merenptah, Seti II, Ramesses IV, V, and VI: Evidence of the repeated efforts by 21st Dynasty priests to safeguard the royal line.
- Unidentified Royal Women: KV 35 held several anonymous female mummies, which were critical for later DNA analysis of royal mummies.
Tutankhamun’s Unique Burial
While not a cache, Tutankhamun’s tomb (KV 62) is essential. Uniquely, his tomb was found in situ in 1922. Therefore, his mummy, though poorly preserved due to rushed mummification, is critical. It is critical because it was found with all its surrounding burial goods. Thus, it provides the context that the plundered mummies from the caches lacked.
The result of these discoveries is the unparalleled collection of Royal Mummies of Egypt. These remains now form the core collection of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC).
