Scientists at the FAPAB Research Center (Sicily, Italy) have spent the last few months creating a novel facial reconstruction of a mysterious mummy, now skeletonized, from tomb KV 55 in the Valley of the Kings.
Under the direction of the FAPAB Director Francesco M. Galassi and egyptological studies coordinator Michael Habicht a new facial reconstruction was created on the basis of previously collected data by Brazilian expert Cicero Moraes, renowned all over the world for his facial reconstructions.
The team, also including forensic anthropologist and FAPAB Deputy Director Elena Varotto, reanalysed the published literature on the skeleton on KV 55 and a vast body of photographs and video clips to attain as much anatomical details as possible and applied the methods used in current forensic facial reconstructions.
Mummy KV 55 (Cairo CG 61075) was found in 1907 and has triggered an ongoing research controversy ever since. The problem lies in its anthropological age at death and the resulting identification.
The morphology already suggested a close relationship with Tutankhamun. Genetic testing has determined mummy KV 55 to be the genetic father of Tutankhamun, although in 2010 some of these genetic results were criticized by palaeomolecular experts.
Historical and Egyptological research has attributed this skeleton to the heretic pharaoh Akhenaton, the first monarch to develop monotheism, which was also a political move in order to strip the powerful priestly "caste" of its control over the land of the Nile. His revolution was short-lived, though, and the previous order was reinstated.
Anthropological research in some cases has raised problems as to the attribution, in that the skeleton belongs to an individual around in his early 20s, which could constitute a chronological problem with the alleged age at death of Akhenaton (about 40 years of age). It should be noted, nonetheless, that the historical evidence on the duration of Akhenaton’s reign and life is highly fragmentary and several, often conflicting, theories exist.
This facial reconstruction brings back to life, in a metaphorical way, one of the most controversial and important mummies in the history of the world, potentially attributable to Akhenaton himself, although further confirmation of this identification could be wanted.
Medical and anthropological facts
Numerous anthropological features leave no doubt that KV 55 is a male. Genetics has also confirmed this. Morphologically and genetically, he seems to be the father of Tutankhamun. However, the genetic results are complicated by the fact of practised sibling incest in the royal family. The teeth of KV 55 are somewhat more worn than those of Tutankhamun, but less than those of King Amenhotep III (the father of KV 55).
Based on the anthropological data, particularly fusion of the epiphyses and stage of pubic symphysis, an age between adolescent and young adult, 19 to 22 years as previously suggested by Strouhal [8], can be reasonably put forward. Such an age at death is problematic to reconcile with Akhenaton’s reign, unless a longer coregency of a minor Akhenaton at his father’s side would be assumed. Such co-regency of about 8 years has won more support in the last years among experts. This would then raise questions about the role of the father.A few months ago, the FAPAB reconstructed another mummy, which could possibly be a daughter of KV 55. The mummy Cairo CG 61076, traditionally labeled as "Baqt," a possible candidate for Meritaton, Ankhesenamun or Baketaton.
After this initial report on the facial reconstruction, the team will finalize the publication of a full-length anthropological study to be submitted to a respected peer-reviewed international journal for consideration.
Photo: Forensic face reconstruction of KV 55. Credit: FAPAB Research Center