Ancient Egyptian Mummy Found; Likely That of Seshestet

In November, 2008, Egypt's chief archaeologist Zahi Hawass announced that a tomb had been discovered in Egypt which was probably that of Sesheshet, the mother of the pharaoh Teti. On January 8, 2009, Hawass announced that a sarcophagus had been found, including a mummy, and that it's likely that of Sesheshet.

Teti, the first king of the Sixth Dynasty of ancient Egypt, ruled for about 20 years before he was likely murdered by his successor, Userkare. Teti's chief wife has generally been thought to be Iput, who was the daughter of the last king of the Fifth Dynasty and also the mother of Teti's eventual heir, Pepi I. New information from archaeologists suggests that Khuit, whose pyramid has been recently re-discovered, may have been Teti's chief wife.

She's known mainly for a reference in ancient texts where she asks for a recipe to cure baldness. She may have been instrumental in her son's rise to power, according to some sources, but information about her remains sketchy.

• Mummy thought to be Queen Seshestet found in Egypt - Reuters story, January 8, 2009
• Egypt's New Pyramid - K. Kris Hirst, About.com's Guide to Archaeology - November 12, 2008
• Queen's Pyramid Discovered at Saqqara - December 2008
• Female Pharaohs - on this site; includes information about Ankhnesmeryre II, wife of Pepi I and possibly regent for their son, Pepi II
• Pepy I - from N. S. Gill, About.com's Guide to Ancient History
• Saqqara - from N. S. Gill, About.com's Guide to Ancient History