Site of discovery AND THE EVENTS THAT BROUGHT THE REMAINS OF RAMSES II TO LIGHT
The tomb of Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great, was discovered in 1881 in the Valley of the Kings, East Valley, Thebes West Bank, Thebes (present day Luxor). Ramses II was originally buried in a KV7 structured tomb. However, due to grave robbers and looters, Egyptian priests were forced to relocate his body to the tomb of Queen Inhapy in the cache at Deir el-Bahri. His body was again moved to the tomb of Pinudjem II 72 hours later. Manfred Bietak led his team of Austrian archaeologists into finding the site of Ramses II palace, which is found beneath the modern village of Qantir. It was here that archaeologists H. Brugsch and Maspero discovered his remains. The hieroglyphics, which detailed the relocation of his body by the priests, present on his linen covering, led to his correct identification. Many other explorers who investigated the tomb prior, were unsuccessful in their search, as the tombs extensive damage, halted them from further examining it. Today, Ramses II mummy is found in Cairo’s Egyptian museum. |
Location: Tahrir Square, Meret Basha, Qasr an Nile, Cairo Governorate 11516, Egypt
Description: Ramses II is currently located in Egypt's Cairo Museum Phone: +20 2 33777263 |