| Ramesses V Human Mummy | |
| |
| Biographical Information | |
|---|---|
| Name(s) | Ramses V aka Usermaatresekheperenre aka Usermaatre Sekheperenre |
| Age | 35 |
| Sex | Male |
| Status | Pharaoh |
| Height | |
| Source | |
| Culture | Egyptian |
| Date(s) | 1147-1143 B.C. |
| Site | |
| Current Location | |
| Location | Cairo, Egypt |
| Catalog # | |
Usermaatre Sekheperenre Ramesses was the fourth Pharaoh of the 20th dynasty. He was likely the son of Queen Duatentopet and Ramses IV. It is believed that he ruled for about four years before his death. A period of instability was apparent during his reign, as evidenced in the Turin Papyrus which related the workmen of Deir el-Medina periodically stopped work on his tomb (KV9) in his first regnal year, out of fear of "the enemy."
Mummification[]
The mummy of Ramses V was recovered in 1898. His eyes and brain were removed and replaced with linen, his nostrils were plugged with wax. The internal organs were removed, and placed back in the abdomen, sawdust was also found in the abdomen.
Studies[]
At his death Ramses was apparently not buried until his successor’s second year. As Egyptian burial rites normally lasted 70 days, either the king died after he was deposed, or his tomb was incomplete at his death, compelling his successor to delay his burial. Ramses V’s mummy indicates that the king may have died at an early age of smallpox, but his head also displays a major wound inflicted either at the time of or shortly after death.
Ramses V is considered a very well preserved mummy, he was thought to have been in his mid to late thirties at death. The mummy's face was painted red and his earlobes were stretched out.
Pathology[]
Researchers believe that Ramses' cause of death was variola (smallpox), evidenced by small lesions found on his head. He is believed to be one of the earliest cases of variola. The evidence for smallpox in the mummy of Ramses V was proved by electron microscopy and immunology together with the rather quick and careless mummification process. This reveals the delay of the king's burial caused by cutting a new tomb for him and others for members of his family who also died unexpectedly suggesting an epidemic which spread to the palace from the commoners.
Additional[]
The mummy was found in the tomb of Amenophis II and is now located in the Cairo Museum.
References[]
Ramses V. (2015, August 10). Retrieved October 6, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramesses_V#Further_reading
View XX'th Dynasty Mummies from DB 320 & KV 35. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2015, from http://members.tripod.com/anubis4_2000/mummypages2/20A.htm#Ramesses V
Tour Egypt : Egypt: Rulers, Kings and Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt: Ramesses V. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2015, retrieved from