03/09/2026
A treasure from the Grand Egyptian Museum.
While Howard Carter was clearing the 'Treasury' room in Tutankhamun's tomb, he came across a little gilded coffin (shown here).
Lifting the lid, Carter discovered another coffin inside. And this second held a tiny third. Finally, like a set of Russian dolls, the third coffin contained an even smaller fourth, which belonged to Queen Tiye, the wife of King Amenhotep III, and Tutankhamun's grandmother.
Of this, there was no doubt. Hieroglyphic text on one of the coffins asked to give 'wine and milk and every good and pure thing, pouring water and the sweet north wind, to the ka of the great wife Tiye'.
When Carter opened the final, miniature coffin, he found a plaited lock of hair, presumably belonging to Queen Tiye. This was, perhaps, placed in the tomb as an affectionate memento to accompany the young king on his journey into the beyond.
Among the fabulous riches with which Tutankhamun's tomb was stocked, was a tender memento of a much-loved grandmother.
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Photo: Jeff Burzacott/Nile Magazine.
