The mummy and Coffin of

Tuthmosis III

Yet another mummy to have been damaged by robbers (the hole seen in the mummy wrappings was caused by robbers looking for amulets on the body) - the priests who restored the mummy prior to reburial used wooden splints to strengthen the body.

Length of the mummy - 1.615 metres.

The coffin of Tuthmosis III had suffered almost as much as his mummy - robbers (ancient and modern) had removed any trace of gold, although the coffin was probably the original coffin (the titles and names of the king remain on the inside of the coffinlid).

 Who was Tuthmosis III ?

The pharaoh kept from his throne by his stepmother, Hatshepsut (traditionally thought of as the world's first wicked stepmother, but that view is now being challenged).

When Tuthmosis III did eventually inherit the throne he displayed great prowess on the battlefield, Egyptian influence under Hatshepsut had slipped and many Egyptian territories were in open revolt. Tuthmosis began his military campaign by attacking the King of Kadesh (a northern Mediterranean region), he then led his troops to the Palestinian Coast and faced the army at the fortress of Megiddo, Armageddon. The Egyptians then raided the lands of neighbouring kings and chieftains.

Tuthmosis III launched many military campaigns during his lifetime and became one of Egypt's greatest generals - he conquered lands from the fifth cataract of the Nile to the Euphrates River.