The mummy of Queen Ahmose-Meritamun was interred in tomb TT358 at Deir el-Bahari, placed within two cedar wood coffins and a cartonnage outer case, which has since suffered damage. Cartonnage, made from linen or papyrus bonded with glue and molded into shape, was used for the outer casing of coffins.
Despite the tomb being robbed in antiquity and the mummy plundered, it was later restored during the 21st Dynasty. During this restoration, the mummy was rewrapped, preserving what remained of Queen Ahmose-Meritamun’s burial.
Ahmose-Meritamun, the royal daughter of Ahmose I and Ahmose-Nefertari, held a unique position as both the sister and wife of AmenH๏τep I. Scholars discovered intriguing details about her upon unwrapping her mummy.
It was revealed that Ahmose-Meritamun had wavy brown hair, providing a glimpse into her physical appearance in life. Furthermore, examination suggested that she may have pᴀssed away in her fifties, with evidence pointing to scoliosis as a possible cause of her decline in her final days. Scoliosis, characterized by an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, likely afflicted Ahmose-Meritamun and contributed to her health challenges toward the end of her life.
The mummy of Ahmose-Meritamun underwent a meticulous rewrapping process during the reign of Pinedjem I. Inscriptions reveal that the linen used for this reburial was crafted in the 18th year of Pinedjem’s reign by the High Priest of Amun, Masaharta, who was the son of Pinedjem I himself. This reverent act of reburial occurred on the 28th day of the third month of winter in the 19th year of Pinedjem’s reign, preserving the memory and honor of Queen Ahmose-Meritamun for generations to come.
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The outer coffin of Ahmose-Meritamun, now housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo (JE 53140), stands as an impressive testament to ancient Egyptian craftsmanship. This colossal coffin measures over 10 feet in size and is meticulously crafted from cedar planks, seamlessly joined and carved to maintain a uniform thickness throughout.
The body of Ahmose-Meritamun’s outer coffin bears intricate carvings of chevrons, meticulously painted in blue to mimic the appearance of feathers, a symbolic representation of rebirth and regeneration in ancient Egyptian belief. Originally, both the outer and inner coffins were adorned with a lavish layer of gold, befitting the status of the queen. However, this precious metal was stripped from both coffins in antiquity, leaving behind traces of their former opulence.
Despite the loss of their golden veneer, the inner coffin, though smaller in size, still stands impressively tall at over 6 feet. Like its outer counterpart, it too would have been adorned with gold, serving as a protective vessel for the queen’s mummified remains on her journey to the afterlife. Though stripped of their gilded glory, the coffins of Ahmose-Meritamun continue to testify to the grandeur and reverence with which ancient Egyptian royalty were laid to rest.
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