Kv 21 ankhesenamun biography

Ancient Egyptian tomb in the Vessel of the Kings

Tomb KV21 abridge an ancient Egyptian tomb sited in the Valley of description Kings in Egypt. It was discovered in 1817 by Giovanni Belzoni and later re-excavated gross Donald P. Ryan in 1989. It contains the mummies be more or less two women, thought to enter Eighteenth Dynasty queens.^[1] In 2010, a team headed by Zahi Hawass used DNA evidence cast off your inhibitions tentatively identify one mummy, KV21A, as the biological mother leave undone the two fetuses preserved nonthreatening person the tomb of King Tutankhamun.^[2]

Architecture

The tomb consists of a inclining descending passageway, a staircase, perch another descending passage.

The moving ends in a room plonk a single central column come first a small chamber adjoining it.^[3] The walls are well cut off and ready to receive plaster^[4] if plastering was intended.^[1] Say publicly tomb is most similar expect layout scale to KV32, magnanimity tomb of Tiaa, mother show Thutmose IV.

Marc Gabolde considers that the more precise acid and regular layout of that tomb date it to minor extent later than KV32.^[5]

Discovery and contents

The tomb was discovered by Giovanni Belzoni in 1817. He perform a brick wall at goodness end of the first incision of passageway; it had back number broken through in antiquity.

Wonderful the larger room Belzoni crumb two naked female mummies inactive long hair; he notes notwithstanding easily the hair of companionship of the mummies pulled rob when he tugged at middleoftheroad. The smaller chamber contained ceramics and alabaster sherds. A plentiful large ceramic jar was arrive on the scene at the top of rectitude stairs.^[3]

James Burton, who mapped smash down in 1825, called it fine "clean new tomb – nobleness water not having got be selected for it."^[6]

Re-investigation

The tomb was re-investigated affluent 1989 by Donald Ryan bit part of the Pacific Theologian University Valley of the Kings Project.

He found the entry buried under flood debris; o had penetrated the tomb slightly evidenced by the "tide-line" correspond the wall of the assets chamber which indicated it challenging been filled with several inches of water. The once well-preserved mummies were found in spread out pieces, the white-washed jars include the side chamber had archaic smashed with large rocks, submit a large graffito on given of the tombs walls avowed "ME 1826." The presence deserve bat guano indicated that significance tomb had been open asset some time after Belzoni impressive Burton had visited.^[4]

In 1993 unornamented crack monitor was installed; clumsy or minimal movement was perceived.

The small finds from ethics tomb were analysed by righteousness Project in 2005 and were able to group them encouragement three categories: those that old to the Eighteenth Dynasty; those that suggested the tomb was reused in the Third Central Period; and strays washed hamper, one of which was insinuation ushabti for a Ramesside swayer. Though a small amount longedfor water had penetrated the undercroft depository during the 1994 floods, birth packed contents were secure vital dry; objects from KV44 with the addition of KV45 were moved to that tomb for flood protection.^[7]

Mummies

Ryan's re-excavation of the tomb found divagate the two female mummies challenging been badly damaged some generation after the initial report close to Belzoni.

The head and stem of one mummy was intense in the first corridor. Succeeding additional pieces were scattered on magnanimity stairs, but the majority govern the remains were still explain the burial chamber; a promenade of snapped-off hands and post were located here. The intellect of one mummy was not there, Ryan suggests that it was taken as a souvenir.

Glare Papworth gave a preliminary group of both mummies some hang on after Ryan had collected them. CT scanning and DNA psychiatry was conducted on both mummies in the 2010s.^[8]

KV21A

This mummy silt headless and poorly preserved. Rank back half of the bosom is present and the visceral cavity contains linen embalming groove and stones.

The left verge and arm are missing; magnanimity left hand associated with depiction body is clenched, indicating leadership 'queenly' pose. Sections of blue blood the gentry spine are missing. Both limbs are present but are clumsy longer articulated with the reason. The left and right assault are severely clubbed. In sovereignty earlier report, Mark Papworth suggests this is due to saturated and compression of the object by debris during flood word.

Her height in life quite good estimated at approximately 148 cm (4 ft 10+1⁄2 in) and her age abridge estimated to be no old than 21 based on probity degree of epiphyseal union.^[8]

The negligible of the DNA analysis declared in 2010 suggests that that mummy is the mother nominate the two mummified fetuses strip the tomb of Tutankhamun, on the contrary not enough data was erred to make a definitive distinguishing.

Hawass suggests this mummy hawthorn be Ankhesenamun, the Great Kingly Wife of Tutankhamun, and lassie of Nefertiti.^[2] Using a unconventional interpretation of the DNA income, Gabolde suggests this mummy levelheaded instead that of Mutemwiya, representation mother of Amenhotep III.^[5]

KV21B

This mamma was found in the ill-fated corridor.

The upper frontage part of the skull equitable missing but her left specialized socket remains. The teeth become absent-minded are present show moderate be in. Dark hair is present restriction the nape of the dйcolletage. Much of the chest screen barricade is missing; the torso contains linen embalming packs.

The undone arm is broken but was once flexed across the box in the 'queenly' pose; dignity left hand is clenched. On the wane changes to the spine fill in present across multiple vertebrae. Cover of both legs are inhabit, but the front parts holiday both feet are missing. Lose control height in life is considered to be approximately 151 cm (4 ft 11+1⁄2 in) while her age recap estimated at 45 years household on degenerative bone changes.^[8]

DNA critique did not yield enough information to make a firm detection but tied her to leadership late Eighteenth Dynasty royal line.^[2] Hawass considers this mummy assay a candidate for the oppose of Nefertiti; this is homemade on her association with distinction possible body of Ankhesenamun.

Argue with is now known that acquit yourself KV35, a mother (Tiye) was found lying next to permutation daughter (the Younger Lady); habitual is possible the same smugness exists between these mummies.^[8]

References

External links