Summary

• The Royal Mummy Room at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Old Cairo offers a unique encounter with 20 royal mummies of prominent pharaohs and queens from Egypt’s New Kingdom.
• These mummies, originally found in Luxor caches, include famous rulers such as Ramses II, Hatshepsut, and Thutmose III.
• The room not only preserves these ancient remains in climate-controlled conditions but also educates visitors on the mummification process, royal history, and Egypt’s rich cultural legacy.
• The mummies’ transfer from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square to the modern NMEC, marked by the grand Pharaohs’ Golden Parade in 2021, reflects Egypt’s commitment to protecting its heritage while providing an immersive museum experience that connects the past with the present.

The Royal Mummy Room at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) is one of the most captivating attractions for anyone intrigued by the ancient history of Egypt. Housing some of the most prominent pharaohs and queens from Egypt’s New Kingdom, this room offers a rare opportunity to come face-to-face with the rulers who once governed one of the greatest civilizations in history.

This sacred collection is not only a tribute to Egypt’s past but also a testament to the country’s enduring commitment to preserving its cultural heritage. The royal mummy room NMEC reveals some of the greatest tales about immortal names that changed the world by creating a civilization worthy of exploring, so make sure not to miss it.

Location and How to Get There

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) is located in the ancient city of Fustat, part of Old Cairo. Specifically, the museum is nestled near Ain Al-Sira Lake, which adds a picturesque touch to this historical setting. Easily accessible by taxi, car, or public transportation, the museum is about 30 minutes away from downtown Cairo, making it a convenient stop for tourists and locals alike.

Which Mummies Were Transferred to the NMEC?

The Royal Mummy Room at NMEC currently houses 20 royal mummies that were originally discovered in two major cache sites in Luxor. The collection includes 17 kings and 3 queens, each carefully preserved for millennia. The collection can shed light on the meaningful and complex process of mummification, which helped to preserve a massive heritage of the secrets & culture of the ancient Egyptian civilization. The most famous mummies on display are:

Ramses V (Usermaatre Sekheperenre)

Son of Ramses IV, Ramses V ruled during the New Kingdom’s 20th Dynasty. His father, Ramses IV, ascended the throne despite a conspiracy to replace him, and Ramses V continued his father’s legacy. His reign, lasting six to seven years, is noted for punishing the conspirators and honoring his father’s memory, as seen in the Great Harris Papyrus. Ramses IV expanded workforces and commissioned major construction projects. He was buried in KV 2, later moved to KV 14, and finally placed in a royal mummy cache.

Seqenenre Taa II

A ruler of Thebes during the Second Intermediate Period’s 17th Dynasty, Seqenenre Taa II led the fight against the Hyksos invaders. He likely died in battle at the age of 40, as evidenced by severe wounds on his skull. His body was moved to TT 320, where it was found in 1881. Seqenenre Taa II began a war that was continued by his sons Kamose and Ahmose I, eventually leading to the Hyksos’ defeat.

Ahmose-Nefertari

The daughter of Seqenenre Taa II and queen Ahhotep, Ahmose-Nefertari was married to her brother, Ahmose I, the first ruler of the New Kingdom. She was influential in politics, bearing the titles “Great Royal Wife” and “Great Wife of Amun.” After her son Amenhotep I’s death, she was venerated alongside him, especially at Deir el-Medina, where both were worshiped as deified figures.

Amenhotep I (Djeserkare)

The second pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty, Amenhotep I succeeded his father Ahmose I and ruled for about 20 to 30 years. He led military campaigns in Nubia and Libya and initiated several construction projects, including temples and chapels. After his death, he and his mother were deified, especially at Deir el-Medina. His tomb’s location remains a mystery, with theories pointing to either Dra Abu el-Naga or Deir el-Bahari.

Thutmose I (Aakheperkare)

Thutmose I, a general, ascended the throne after Amenhotep I’s death without an heir. Known for his military campaigns into Syria and Nubia, he expanded Egypt’s territories and engaged in major construction projects across the kingdom. He was buried in a tomb built by his architect Ineni, but his daughter Hatshepsut later moved his body to KV 20. His achievements helped legitimize his non-royal origins.

Thutmose II (Aakheperenre)

Thutmose II, son of Thutmose I and a minor wife, reigned for a short period, probably less than five years. He married his half-sister Hatshepsut, with whom he had daughters. His son, Thutmose III, succeeded him. His reign involved quelling uprisings in Nubia and the Sinai, and he undertook modest construction projects, including in Karnak temple complex and Nubia. His tomb, likely KV 42, was disturbed and moved to the Deir el-Bahari cache.

Hatshepsut

The daughter of Thutmose I, Hatshepsut initially ruled as regent for her stepson Thutmose III before declaring herself pharaoh. Despite her gender, she legitimized her rule through divine claims and became one of Egypt’s most successful rulers. She commissioned numerous construction projects, including her famous temple at Deir el-Bahari, and revitalized trade networks. After a 22-year reign, she likely died of natural causes and was buried in KV 20.

Thutmose III (Menkheperre)

Initially too young to rule after his father’s death, Thutmose III’s stepmother, Hatshepsut, served as regent and later declared herself pharaoh. After Hatshepsut’s death, Thutmose III embarked on military campaigns, expanding Egypt’s empire to its greatest extent, from the Euphrates to the Fourth Cataract of the Nile river. He carried out 17 expeditions and built extensively, including the Akh-Menu at Karnak. Known for his military genius, his reign of 54 years is considered one of Egypt’s most prosperous eras. He was buried in KV 34, and his mummy was later moved to the Deir el-Bahari cache.

Amenhotep II (Aakheperure)

Amenhotep II ascended the throne around age 18 and ruled for at least 26 years. Known for his athleticism, he was a skilled charioteer and archer. He led campaigns in Nubia and the Levant, maintaining Egypt’s power. A prolific builder, he expanded Karnak and other temples. His queen, Tiaa, bore his successor, Thutmose IV. Amenhotep II was buried in KV 35, and his mummy was later rewrapped and reburied by 21st Dynasty priests.

Thutmose IV (Menkheperure)

Thutmose IV is best known for the “Dream Stela” at the Great Sphinx, which tells how he cleared sand from the Sphinx to become king. His reign was marked by a peace treaty with Mitanni, Egypt’s rivals, and a military campaign in Nubia. He constructed a double portico at Karnak and was originally buried in KV 43 before being moved to his father’s tomb.

Amenhotep III (Nebmaatre)

Amenhotep III ruled Egypt for nearly four decades, during which the kingdom reached its peak of wealth and power. His Great Royal Wife was Tiye, and he built many monuments, including the Colossi of Memnon and his vast mortuary temple. Amenhotep III’s reign is notable for its artistic and cultural achievements, as well as for diplomatic marriages to foreign princesses. His tomb, KV 22, was looted, and his mummy was later moved to his grandfather’s tomb.

Seti I (Menmaatre)

Son of Ramses I, Seti I reigned for about 12 years, restoring Egypt’s authority through military campaigns in Libya and the Levant. He fought the Hittites and undertook major building projects at Karnak and Abydos. His tomb, KV 17, is one of the most beautifully decorated in the Valley of the Kings. His vivid wall paintings and a mysterious unfinished tunnel make his tomb a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian art.

Ramses II (Usermaatre Setepenre)

Ramses II, son of Seti I, ruled for 67 years, becoming one of the most famous pharaohs of the New Kingdom. He married multiple queens, including his Great Royal Wife Nefertari, for whom he built a temple at Abu Simbel. Known for his military prowess, Ramses II fought the Battle of Kadesh against the Hittites, eventually signing the first known peace treaty. He left behind monumental structures such as Abu Simbel and the Ramesseum. Originally buried in KV 7, his mummy was later moved to Deir el-Bahari and studied in Paris in the 20th century.

Merenptah (Baenre Merinetjeru)

Merenptah, the 13th son of Ramses II, became king in his later years and ruled for 11 years. He is known for military campaigns, particularly defeating the Libyans and Sea Peoples in his fifth year. His reign also produced the “Israel Stela,” the earliest mention of Israel. Merenptah’s original tomb was KV 8, but his mummy was later moved to KV 35.

Ramses III (Usermaatre Meriamun)

Ramses III, son of Setnakht, is remembered as the last great warrior pharaoh. He defended Egypt against invasions by the Sea Peoples and Libyans and built a large mortuary temple at Medinet Habu. His reign was marked by economic difficulties, leading to the first recorded labor strike. He was assassinated in a harem conspiracy involving his wife, Tiye, and son, Pentawer. His mummy, originally buried in KV 11, was later moved to the Deir el-Bahari cache.

Seti II (Userkheperure)

Seti II, son of Merenptah, ruled for nearly six years and faced a power struggle with Amenmesse, a potential rival. Despite the challenges, he constructed important monuments, including a temple to Hathor and several chapels at Karnak. He was originally buried in KV 15, but his mummy was moved multiple times before being placed in the tomb of Amenhotep II.

Ramses IV (Heqamaatre)

Ramses IV succeeded his father, Ramses III, and ruled for six to seven years. He sought to avenge his father’s assassination and continued his policies, notably increasing workforces at Deir el-Medina. His reign is recorded in the Great Harris Papyrus. Ramses IV initiated ambitious building projects and mining expeditions. Originally buried in KV 2, his mummy was later moved to the tomb of Amenhotep II.

Ramses V (Usermaatre Sekheperenre)

Ramses V, son of Ramses IV, ruled for six to seven years, continuing his father’s policies. His reign is also mentioned in the Great Harris Papyrus. He oversaw significant construction projects, including expanding Karnak’s Temple of Khonsu. Ramses V was buried in KV 2, with his mummy eventually moved to the Deir el-Bahari cache.

Ramses VI (Nebmaatre Meriamun)

Ramses VI, son of Ramses III, ruled for about eight years, facing internal unrest and the decline of Egypt’s control over territories in Syria-Palestine. Despite challenges, he left his mark through construction projects across Egypt and Nubia. He usurped KV 9 from Ramses V and was later reburied in KV 35.

Ramses IX (Neferkare Setepenre)

Ramses IX ruled for about 18 years during the 20th Dynasty, focusing on Lower Egypt while the high priests of Amun gained power in Upper Egypt. His reign saw tomb robberies in the Valley of the Kings, prompting later relocations of royal mummies. His original tomb, KV 6, remains well-preserved, but his mummy was moved to the Deir el-Bahari cache.

Each of these mummies is displayed in a custom-made, climate-controlled case, which ensures their preservation while allowing visitors to admire them up close.

Story of Transferring the Mummies from the Deir El-Bahari Cache to the Egyptian Museum and Finally to NMEC

The discovery of the royal mummies is a story that stretches over a century. Everything began in 1881, the first cache of mummies was discovered in Deir el-Bahari, a remote valley near Luxor, known today as the Royal Cache (TT320). It included some of the most prominent pharaohs from the New Kingdom. Over the next several years, these mummies were transported to the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, where they remained for over a century.

A second significant discovery came in 1898 at the tomb of Amenhotep II in the Valley of the Kings, where additional royal mummies were unearthed. These two caches formed the core of Egypt’s most celebrated royal mummy collection, which was put on display at the Egyptian Museum.

However, to give these mummies the attention and reverence they deserved, the decision was made to move them to the NMEC in 2021. The transfer was done in spectacular fashion, with a public event called the “Pharaohs’ Golden Parade.”

On April 3rd, 2021, the streets of Cairo were lined with spectators as the 22 mummies were transported from the Egyptian Museum to the NMEC in specially designed, climate-controlled vehicles. This iconic parade honored their legacy and ensured that the transfer was carried out with the utmost dignity and care.

What Is the Reason for Their Transfer to NMEC?

The transfer of the royal mummies to the NMEC was driven by both practical and cultural reasons. The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, while an iconic institution, was no longer suitable for the long-term preservation of such delicate artifacts. The NMEC, with its state-of-the-art preservation technologies and more focused narrative on Egyptian civilization, provided a much better environment to safeguard these royal remains.

The NMEC offers a more contextual and immersive experience. Visitors can not only view the mummies but also learn about their significance within the broader scope of Egypt’s ancient history. The museum is a state-of-the-art construction with has design that includes cutting-edge displays and educational materials that explain the mummification process, the religious beliefs of the time, and the significance of these rulers in shaping the history of Egypt.