In June, 2007, Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, and the Discovery Channel announced that they had identified the mummy of Hatshepsut. They used DNA methods and also CT scans to attempt to discover which of several mummies might be the female pharaoh, Hatshepsut.
- More about: Egyptian Archaeologists Identify Remains of Hatshepsut, Female Pharaoh
- Also: Review: Secrets of Egypt's Lost Queen
DNA Investigation
The DNA evidence has not led, at the date of this writing, to any significant conclusions.
- More about: DNA Evidence for Hatshepsut's Identity
CT Scans
The computer tomography (CT) scans and images were used to identify a number of factors. Mummies previously identified at Thutmose I, Thutmose II, and Thutmose III were tested (Hatshepsut's father, half-brother/husband, and step-son/nephew), as were four female mummies. The following conclusions were drawn from the recreated images that the CT scans made possible:
- family resemblance: one female mummy seemed to have facial characteristics that resembled most closely those of the three Thutmoses
- arm position: royal women were mummified with their left arm bent across the chest. A CT scan revealed whether such a position was likely.
- in one mummy, her arms were at her side, and the arms had not been broken, thus making it likely that she died in that position
- in another, her arm was not quite in the right position, but the arm of the mummy had been broken at some point (probably after mummification) so it was possible it had originally been in the royal position
- in one mummy, her arms were at her side, and the arms had not been broken, thus making it likely that she died in that position
- likely age at death of the four women -- one was considerably older than the estimated 40-50 for Hatshepsut
Some of the CT scan results revealed likely health problems and possible causes of death. For example, a broken rib and small dense object inside the mummy of Thutmose I led to the possibility he had died of an arrow wound. In one of the female mummies, a likely head wound and the intact jaw indicated that her open mouth, which had led to her nickname "The Screamer," was likely in that position when she died.
The identification of KV60A with Hatshepsut came, however, with a particular constellation of evidence from the CT scans.
- More About: Hatshepsut's Tooth
- Learn About: How Did Hatshepsut Die?
Sources Consulted Include:
- Secrets of Egypt's Lost Queen. First aired: 7/15/07. Discovery Channel. Brando Quilico, executive producer.
- "Applied Biosystems Helps Build Egypt's First Laboratory for Ancient DNA Analysis." Press Release, Applied Biosystems, n.d. (June 2007).
- "Frequently Asked Questions." Press Release, Discovery Channel, n.d. (June 2007).
All About Hatshepsut:
Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut Issues
- Hatshepsut's History: The Trouble with Titles
- Heiress Theory
- Problems with Dating Hatshepsut's Life
- Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis II Marriage Guides
Discovery Channel: Secrets of Egypt's Lost Queen
- How Was Hatshepsut's Mummy Identified?
- Review: Secrets of Egypt's Lost Queen
- Interview with Dr. Kara Cooney
- Different About.com Guide perspectives on the June, 2007, news:
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