Thutmose IV Mummy

Thutmose IV, an 18th dynasty pharaoh of Egypt, is famous for his successful reign that lasted from 1400-1390 BC. However, perhaps even more interesting than his reign is the story of his mummy, which was in 1898. It was in a poor state of preservation. Despite the damages, the mummy was still as that of Thutmose IV due to inscriptions found nearby. What made the restoration especially challenging was that the mummy had been in a layer of salt during the mummification process. Which made it difficult to work with.

One of the most interesting discoveries made during the restoration process was a small piece of cloth that had been inside the mummy’s mouth. Initially, it was famous that this was simply a wad of linen, but upon closer examination. It was famous to be a piece of the pharaoh’s own tongue. Which was a common practice at the time. The ancient Egyptians believed that the heart, brain, and other key organs needed to be in order for the individual to enter the afterlife. They did not believe that the tongue was necessary.

Overall

the discovery and restoration of Thutmose IV’s mummy shed light on the beliefs and practices of the ancient Egyptians in regard to death and the afterlife. While much of the mummy was damaged. It is still viewed as a valuable historical artifact that can offer insights into this ancient civilization.