Sarcophagus Of Pharaoh Ramses II, Rarely Leaving Home, Unveiled In Paris
For the first time in almost 50 years, museum-goers in Paris can gaze at the ruler’s sarcophagus. The ancient coffin has made a rare journey out of Egypt to the Grande Halle de la Villette, and where it will remain on display until September.
The sarcophagus of the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses estimated to be more than 3,000 years old.
The rare loan of Ramses II’s sarcophagus was only allowed through a special exception made for France, as the coffin and the mummy were taken to the French Musee de l’Homme for restoration and treatment for fungus in 1976.
The cedar wood coffin pictures the recumbent King with his arms crossed against his chest, holding two royal sceptres. His wide, contoured eyes are open but his lips are sealed. On the crown of his head is a uraeus, a sacred serpent often seen on Egyptian monarchs.
The bare wooden carving with its faded yellow paint does not look fit for a king, let alone the leader of a mighty civilisation. But archaeologists believe that it was once elaborately decorated with gilding and inlay of precious stone and glass.
According to the American Society of Archaeologists in Egypt, these may have been stripped from the sarcophagus by the High Priests of Amun, who claimed to be protecting the tombs, during a period of economic and political uncertainty in Egypt.
“When the mummy of Ramses II touched down on French soil in 1976, it was welcomed with honours fit for a sitting head of state,” said Farout. The coffin was then exhibited at the Grand Palais.
France has 54 antiquities teams working in Egypt, an official told AFP ― the most of the 25 countries who currently have research teams there.
