| Cleopatra Candace Human Mummy | |
| |
| Biographical Information | |
|---|---|
| Name(s) | Cleopatra Candace |
| Age | 17 |
| Sex | Female |
| Status | Unknown |
| Height | approx. 5' 2' |
| Source | |
| Culture | Roman |
| Date(s) | approx. 100-120 CE |
| Site | Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, Egypt, Africa |
| Current Location | |
| Location | The British Museum |
| Catalog # | Unknown |
Cleopatra Candace was a Roman period mummy, currently on display at the British Museum in the United Kingdom. She was the daughter of Candace and a member of the Cornelius Pollius family.
The mummy was found in a wooden coffin in tomb 32, in Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, Thebes, Egypt which was highly decorated.
Inscriptions on her coffin state that she died at the age of 17. The maximum length of her coffin suggests that she may have been approximately 5 feet 2 inches. An earlier finding suggested that she may have been a prepubescent at the time of her death, however, that was later disregarded as the state of her skeleton indicated otherwise.
Mummification[]
Material under the bandages has made acquiring information difficult. No fractures are evident within the ribs, arms or legs. The left hip is said to be dislocated due to tight bandaging. The body cavity was wrapped in fine linen bandages and to ensure security of an outer cloak, bandages were wrapped in all directions. The bandages were decorated with painted images of gods, a wooden comb, a string of berries, and a funerary wreath were included. The outer shroud was painted with a full face figure of the dead woman.
Studies[]
A comb and a necklace of beads were placed on the body inside the wooden coffin. The hieroglyphic inscription on the coffin gives Cleopatra’s age at death, for which a reading of 17 years, 1 month and 25 days has been proposed. X-ray studies using a CAT scanner show a skeletal development and a fusion of the ends of the long bones which is consistent with this age.
The skeleton appears to be in good condition. The skull is tilted forward and the mouth is open. There are at least three packages in the right chest cavity, possibly the preserved internal organs. An object, about 9cm long, in the left chest cavity may be a roll of linen or a figurine. CAT scans also revealed the use of packing materials, probably mud or sand, which contribute to the substantial weight - about 75kg - of the mummy.
Additional[]
Exhibition: October 15, 1997- April 30 1998 Italy, Rome, Fondazione Memmo, Ancient Faces
Acquired 1823
- Purchased from Henry Salt
- Purchased from Joseph Sams
External Links[]
https://www.ancient.eu/image/4814/mummy-of-cleopatra-daughter-of-candace/