Seti I is believed to have died at around 40–50 years old, based on studies of his mummy and historical records. His reign lasted approximately 11–15 years, c. 1290–1279 B.C. Seti I’s achievements spanned military, architectural, and administrative domains, setting the stage for the prosperity of his son and successor, Ramesses II (Ramesses the Great).
Seti I was originally buried in Tomb KV17 of the Valley of the Kings in an elegant alabaster sarcophagus. His tomb is the longest and one of the most beautifully decorated tombs in the valley. Known as the Tomb of Seti I, it features exquisite carvings, vibrant wall paintings, and some of the most detailed scenes from the Book of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ and other funerary texts.
However, despite the luxurious tomb made for the king to rest eternally in, the mummy of the king was not discovered in his tomb. Seti I’s mummy was discovered in 1881 by Émile Brugsch, a French Egyptologist, within the famous Deir el-Bahari cache (DB320) near Luxor. The cache, a hidden tomb used by ancient priests to protect royal mummies from looters, was first located by the Abd el-Rᴀssul family. Sadly, local tomb robbers had been secretly removing artefacts for years and after the authorities were alerted, Brugsch oversaw the official recovery of the mummies. The cache also contained the mummies of other notable rulers, such as Ramesses II (Seti’s son) and Thutmose III.
PH๏τograph by Carole Raddato
When Seti I’s mummy was unwrapped and examined, it was found to be in wonderful condition, considering its age and history. His body showed evidence of the high-quality embalming techniques used for New Kingdom pharaohs. Seti I’s face was particularly well-preserved, showcasing delicate features that allowed Egyptologists to reconstruct his appearance with remarkable accuracy.
Despite the overall good preservation, there were signs of postmortem damage, likely caused by ancient tomb robbers or improper handling during reburial, with the chest area had suffering significant damage as well as his arms. Seti I was buried with his arms originally crossed in the traditional Osirian pose, and were once covered in bracelets and other jewels, lost in antiquity.
Seti I was originally buried within an alabaster sarcophagus, which today is considered one of the most exquisite artefacts from Ancient Egypt, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of the New Kingdom period of which Seti reigned. The alabaster material is rare for such a large and intricate piece and makes the coffin very unique.
The sarcophagus was discovered in 1817 by the Italian explorer Giovanni Battista Belzoni during his excavation of Seti I’s tomb (KV17) in the Valley of the Kings. The coffin was removed during Belzoni’s excavation and is now housed in Sir John Soane’s Museum in London, England.
The sarcophagus was carved in one piece and is intricately decorated on every surface, with the goddess Nut on the interior base, as well as scenes from the Book of Gates, a funerary text detailing the journey of the deceased through the 12 hours of the night. Osiris, protector of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, is prominently featured, along with other deities like Isis and Nephthys.
The sarcophagus is currently on display in Sir John Soane’s Museum in London, where at night it is beautifully lit with glowing candles, creating a serene atmosphere and display of one of Egypt’s most beautiful treasures. Made of alabaster (calcite), a translucent stone that gives the sarcophagus a luminous quality when light pᴀsses through it, the site of the coffin glowing amidst the collection of other historic artefacts provides an enchanting ambience.
Modern Analysis of Seti I’s mummy
CT scans of Seti I’s mummy were conducted in the early 2000s and 2010s as part of a broader scientific initiative to examine royal mummies using advanced imaging technology. This project was led by Dr. Zahi Hawᴀss, a prominent Egyptian archaeologist and former Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.
The initiative aimed to study the health, causes of death, and embalming practices of ancient Egyptian rulers. The C.T. scans were performed at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, where the mummy of Seti I is housed. These scans provided non-invasive insights into Seti I’s physical condition and mummification without causing harm to his remains.
Scanning the Pharaohs: CT Imaging of the New Kingdom Royal Mummies, 2016.
Zahi A. Hawᴀss (Author), Sahar Saleem (Author)
The scans revealed that Seti I was a well-built man, standing around 170–175 cm (5ft7–5ft9) tall, with a strong and muscular physique. This aligns with depictions of him in statues and reliefs that emphasize his physical strength and vitality.
Analysis suggests that Seti I died in his 40s or early 50s. However, the cause of his death remains unclear. No definitive signs of trauma or illness have been identified from the scans, leaving his death a subject of speculation.
The CT scans provided evidence of the exceptional mummification techniques used on Seti I. His body showed intricate embalming methods, including precise excision of the internal organs and advanced preservation of the facial features. His mummy is often considered one of the finest examples of Ancient Egyptian mummification artistry.
Scanning the Pharaohs: CT Imaging of the New Kingdom Royal Mummies, 2016.
Zahi A. Hawᴀss (Author), Sahar Saleem (Author)
As previously mentioned, the exact cause of Seti I’s death remains uncertain, as there is no definitive evidence in the historical or archaeological record. CT scans and examinations of Seti I’s mummy have revealed that he was in good physical health during his life. He had a strong, muscular build, which suggests he was not debilitated by chronic illnesses. However, his chest cavity is significantly damaged, though it is unclear whether this was a result of ante-mortem trauma (injury before death), postmortem damage caused by tomb robbers, or an intentional part of the mummification process.
Some historians suggest he may have died from natural causes, such as heart disease or a stroke, which were not uncommon in Ancient Egypt. It has been speculated that Seti I could have succumbed to an illness, such as tuberculosis or another infectious disease, though no direct evidence of this has been found on his mummy.
Seti I’s death may have been unexpected. This is inferred because some aspects of his burial, including the unfinished state of his tomb decorations in KV17, suggest his death came sooner than anticipated. Ancient Egyptians typically prepared their tombs well in advance, and the incomplete artwork might reflect a rushed burial.
While the precise cause of Seti I’s death cannot be determined, it is likely he died from natural causes, such as age-related illness or disease, rather than violence or ᴀssᴀssination. The lack of clear trauma and the high quality of his mummification suggest he was honored and treated with great care after death. However, without direct evidence, his pᴀssing remains a topic of speculation.
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