The tomb of Tutankhamun, a relatively minor king, astonished the world with its contents, containing over 5,000 objects. Despite being the smallest royal tomb in the Valley of the Kings, the wealth of artifacts found within raises an intriguing question: What treasures might have belonged to the major Egyptian Pharaohs, such as Ramesses II?
Rare Examples of Egyptian Pharaoh’s Gold Jewelry
Fortunately, several royal jewelry masterpieces have survived, giving us a glimpse into what the lost treasures might have looked like. These pieces have been discovered by thieves, archaeologists, and sometimes even by accident. For instance, railway workers once stumbled upon a hidden trove of jewelry. Archaeologists later speculated that it was a looter’s cache buried two millennia ago. Among the discovered items was a pair of gold and lapis lazuli bangles inscribed with the name of Ramesses II. While it remains uncertain whether he ever wore them, these artifacts offer a tantalizing peek into the potential contents of his tomb.
The surviving jewelry and artifacts from the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs provide a crucial window into the past, allowing us to imagine the splendor and grandeur that once accompanied these ancient rulers.
