Well, I always thought that the greatest discovery had been the tomb of Tutankhamun, with all the items of gold, the chariot and that incredible funeral mask…
But wait, not so fast, there’s something strange about this death mask as well. I clearly see the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet on his brow. Nekhbet was the most important goddess of Upper Egypt, while Wadjet for Lower Egypt. This symbolised his reign over both. I could have sworn it was only the cobra that was on that death mask before…
In any event, freakier still is the appearance now of this «Silver Pharaoh.» Although I am no historian, and also not an Egyptologist, I’ve always loved the history of ancient Egypt and I did take a class at the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (Autonomous University of Barcelona) on Egyptology and no mention of this wonderful king was made.
In case you’ve never heard of him, well, the «Silver Pharaoh» is called the «silver pharaoh» because of his inner «silver coffin,» inlaid with gold. It is solid silver, a metal more rare than gold in ancient Egypt, and weighs tons.
Allow me to introduce you to pharaoh Psusennes I, the third pharaoh of the XXIst Dynasty. He reigned between 1047 and 1001 BC. His original name was Pasibkhanu, which means «The Star Appearing in the City.» His tomb was «discovered» in 1940 and it is the only tomb, so far, discovered completely intact. Tutankhamun’s tomb had been robbed at least two times.
This is his funerary mask, recovered intact. It is made of solid gold and lapis lazuli, with inlays of black and white glass for the eyes and eyebrows. Psusennes I’s death mask is one of the greatest masterpieces of the Cairo Museum.
Now, how did all of this get past us?
Now I want to know what you think…
Cheers…
JaZzArt en València 
So interesting
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Really is…
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This one has passed me by too. There is so much to learn about Egyptian history that I would be mummified as well before reading it all.
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We would all be Malc, I agree. But it is very strange indeed…
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You’re not wrong Francesc. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
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Thank you Malc! You too!
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I dont recall this story when I visited the Cairo museum last year, but there was a lot missing as they are moving the museum up to a new building by the great pyramid – by now that move may have been completed
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Impresionante. Feliz semana.
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si, definitivamente, pero habías oído hablar de este faraón?
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Pues no. La verdad que no había oído hablar de este faraón, no obstante no dejan de ser impresionantes las imágenes. De cualquier manera Egipto es un pozo sin fondo. Nunca se acaba
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Yo jamás había oído hablar de este faraón de plata, me parece extraño pero si, Egipto es un pozo sin fondo. Gracias Pat y saludos de España!
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Pat, no. Azurea20. Te perdono porque eres buen amigo. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
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Madre mía, la he liado… lo siento Azurea, no se en quien estaría pensando 😜
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I love to watch documentaries about ancient Egypt!
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Well, me too, that is one of my fascinations, that is why it was so strange to hear about this Silver Pharaoh which was discovered in 1940 and I had never heard of him!
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Actually, I’m not sure that I have either.
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I haven’t found anyone that has…
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I’d never heard of this. Thanks so much for sharing this information!
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Well, you’re not alone, I flipped when I first heard and saw the photos of this Silver Pharaoh! Where was this when I took an Egyptology class a few years ago? Thank you Janet and all the best.
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