Face of Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Revealed After Brutal Death
Scientists have reconstructed the face of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh who was brutally killed 3,500 years ago, shedding light on how the king met his fate. Seqenenre-Tao-II, also known as ‘The Brave,’ met his demise either through murder in the middle of the night or on the battlefield at the age of 40 while attempting to free Egypt from the Hyksos people in 1555BC. A team of archaeologists at Australia’s Flinders University used CT scans and X-rays of the king’s damaged skull to piece together his face, showcasing the pharaoh with small eyes, lips, and high cheekbones. The facial reconstruction also uncovered a fatal blow to the upper region of Toa’s brain, likely leading to his death.
The manner of the pharaoh’s death, whether captured or on the battlefield, has been a subject of debate since his remains were discovered in the 1800s. However, it is known that Tao was attacked by several assailants from different directions. His face was reconstructed using his skull found in a tomb complex known as Deir el-Bahri within the Theban necropolis back in 1886. By digitally scanning the remains and utilizing a process called anatomical deformation, the team was able to recreate the features of the ancient king.
A team of archaeologists at Australia’s Flinders University pieced his face together using CT images and X-rays of the king’s mangled skull, showing the pharaoh was of Nubian descent, with small eyes and lips and high cheekbones. The team pulled information from previous research to understand how the death played out, which showed the first ax blow was in the lower right frontal area and left cheek. Gaston Maspero, a French Egyptologist, discovered the brave pharaoh among hundreds of coffins and mummies in 1886, noting Tao’s slender physique and distinctive features.
Egyptologists James Harris and Kent Weeks, who conducted a forensic examination of Tao in the 1960s, revealed that a foul smell emanated from the mummy upon opening the case where his body was stored. This odor, attributed to bodily fluids left in the mummy during burial, indicated that Toa’s mummification may have been rushed, leaving questions about the process unanswered.
In conclusion, the facial reconstruction of Seqenenre-Tao-II provides a glimpse into the life and violent death of this ancient Egyptian pharaoh, offering insights into the struggles and conflicts of the time. Through modern technology and archaeological expertise, the face of a king long gone has been brought back to life, captivating audiences with the mysteries of Egypt’s past.