The Mystery of Pharaoh’s Mummy: Ramses II or Merneptah?

Ramses II mummy, Merneptah mummy, Pharaoh’s body preserved, Quran 10:92, Pharaoh drowned, Egyptology discoveries, Deir el-Bahari cache, KV35 tomb, Grafton Elliot Smith, Gaston Maspero, Zahi Hawass, Musée de l’Homme Paris, Golden Parade of Pharaohs, royal mummies Egypt, ancient Egyptian archaeology, biblical archaeology, Pharaoh in the Quran, Pharaoh in the Bible,

From the dusty tombs of Thebes to the high-tech laboratories of modern Egyptology, the journey of Pharaoh’s mummy reveals a story of discovery, faith, and scientific wonder. Whether the body belongs to Ramses II or Merneptah, it stands as one of the most extraordinary archaeological testimonies ever unearthed — a timeless witness from the pages of both history and scripture.

Few archaeological discoveries have captured the world’s imagination like the royal mummies of ancient Egypt. Among them, the mummy believed to belong to Pharaoh Ramses II or possibly Merneptah has long intrigued historians, Egyptologists, and even theologians — especially in light of the Qur’anic statement that Pharaoh’s body was preserved as a sign for future generations.

The Discovery of the Royal Mummy Caches

The story begins in 1881, when the local Abd el-Rassul family uncovered a hidden tomb known as DB320 (Deir el-Bahari cache) near Luxor. Inside were over 40 royal mummies from the New Kingdom. Egyptologist Émile Brugsch, assisted by Ahmed Kamal, helped secure and transfer the mummies to Cairo under the supervision of Gaston Maspero, the head of Egyptian antiquities.

It was Maspero who first unwrapped several of the royal mummies, including that of Ramses II, allowing scholars to study them closely. Later discoveries, such as KV35 (the tomb of Amenhotep II) found by Victor Loret in 1898, revealed additional royal remains, including the mummy of Merneptah, the son and successor of Ramses II.

Ancient Egypt, Ramses II, Merneptah, Pharaoh’s Mummy, Archaeology, Qur’an and History, Egyptology, Biblical Archaeology, Mummy Discovery, Historical Evidence,

Scientific Examination and Identification

In the early 20th century, British anatomist Dr. Grafton Elliot Smith examined and described the mummies in great detail, publishing his findings in 1907. His anatomical notes on Merneptah’s body confirmed an elderly male with severe arthritis and dental wear — consistent with the known age of the pharaoh.

In later decades, scientists James E. Harris and Edward F. Wente conducted X-ray and anthropological studies, confirming that these mummies were indeed from the royal lineage of Egypt’s 19th Dynasty. Their research strengthened the link between the mummy in DB320 and Ramses II, and between the KV35 mummy and Merneptah.

The Paris Restoration Mission of 1976

By the 1970s, the mummy of Ramses II began showing signs of fungal damage. In 1976, it was flown to Paris under the supervision of the Musée de l’Homme for conservation and microbiological treatment — a historic event that drew global attention. The team of French scientists successfully treated and preserved the mummy, confirming its remarkable state of natural mummification after more than 3,000 years.

Ramses II mummy, Merneptah mummy, Pharaoh’s body preserved, Quran 10:92, Pharaoh drowned, Egyptology discoveries, Deir el-Bahari cache, KV35 tomb, Grafton Elliot Smith, Gaston Maspero, Zahi Hawass, Musée de l’Homme Paris, Golden Parade of Pharaohs, royal mummies Egypt, ancient Egyptian archaeology, biblical archaeology, Pharaoh in the Quran, Pharaoh in the Bible,

Modern Studies and the Golden Parade

In the 21st century, Egyptologists such as Dr. Zahi Hawass used advanced CT scans and DNA analysis to further verify the identities of the royal mummies. The mummy of Ramses II, now housed in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, was publicly re-honored during the Golden Parade of the Pharaohs in 2021 — symbolizing Egypt’s deep reverence for its ancient kings and their enduring legacy.

The Qur’anic Connection

While the Bible describes the drowning of Pharaoh’s army, it does not clearly mention Pharaoh’s body being preserved. The Qur’an, however, explicitly states:

“So today We will save you in your body that you may be a sign for those after you.”

(Surah Yunus 10:92)

This verse astonishingly aligns with the physical discovery of a pharaoh’s body preserved to this day — a fact that continues to fascinate both believers and historians alike.

Ancient Egypt, Ramses II, Merneptah, Pharaoh’s mummy, Egyptology, Archaeology, Quran 10:92, Pharaoh drowned, Biblical archaeology, Egyptian history, mummy discovery, Deir el-Bahari cache, KV35 tomb, Grafton Elliot Smith, Gaston Maspero, Zahi Hawass, Musée de l’Homme Paris, Golden Parade of Pharaohs, royal mummies Egypt, Pharaoh in the Quran, Pharaoh in the Bible, preserved body of Pharaoh, scientific discovery, historical evidence, Quran and history, mystery of Pharaoh, Egyptian civilization,