| Ta-Kush Human Mummy | |
| |
| Biographical Information | |
|---|---|
| Name(s) | Ta-Kush |
| Age | 25 - 45 |
| Sex | Female |
| Status | The Lady of the house, daughter of God of the afterlife Osiris |
| Height | Unknown |
| Source | |
| Culture | Ancient Egypt |
| Date(s) | c.700-650BC |
| Site | Unknown |
| Current Location | |
| Location | Maidtsone Museum |
| Catalog # | |
The mummy of Ta-Kush was brought to England in the 1820s, originally it had an inner and outer coffin, but only the inner wooden coffin remained by the time it arrived at the museum in the 19th century. The titles inscribed on her funerary items included ‘The Lady of the House, Ta-Kush, Daughter of Osiris, Pa-Muta; her mother Lady of the House, Shay.'
In 1843, the mummy was unwrapped and studied by Samuel Birch of the British Museum, and a local doctor, Hugh Welch Diamond. Afterward, the mummy was presented to the doctor's cousin, whose collections later formed the Charles Museum in Maidstone, now known as the Maidstone Museum.
Pathology[]
A scan revealed that her teeth were well-worn with loss of enamel as well as cavities, abscesses in the jaw, and fully erupted wisdom teeth.
CT scan of the mummy's face
Scans showed evidence of a wedge fracture in one of her vertebrae, which is seen in patients suffering a downward impact, such as a fall or landing upright, but also shows signs of healing, indicating Ta-Kush could have been living with this injury.
There were also indications of osteoporosis and a hardening of the arteries.
Studies[]
Initially called Ta-Kesh, the translation was later adjusted to Ta-Kush, which means 'the Kushite lady.'
Initially thought to be a female of about 14 years, a 2016 CT scan revealed fully erupted wisdom teeth indicating an age probably much older, perhaps her early 40s.
She was apparently of mixed Nubian and Egyptian ancestry.
Additional[]
Facial reconstruction without Nubian style wig
A computer imaging reconstruction of the mummy's face.
External Links[]
https://museum.maidstone.gov.uk/explore/collections/ancient-egyptians/ta-kush-lady-house/
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/scan-reveals-mummys-true-age-115393/