Sarcophagus of Ramesses II’s Treasurer uncovered at Saqqara

above left The sarcophagus with broken lid belonging to Ptahemwia, Treasurer to Ramesses II. left Painted wall scene in the Tomb of Ptahemwia.
The sarcophagus with broken lid belonging to Ptahemwia, Treasurer to Ramesses II. Image: copyright of the Ministry for Tourism and Antiquities

Following the discovery of the tomb of Ramesses II’s Treasurer Ptahemwia at Saqqara (see AE 129), the Egyptian team has now uncovered his pink granite sarcophagus in the main burial chamber at the base of a shaft located in the main columned hall of the tomb. The sarcophagus – covered with inscriptions and scenes of the Sons of Horus, Osiris and Isis – was looted in antiquity, leaving a large crack in the lid and only traces of resin inside. As well as being head of the treasury, Ptahemwia was responsible for funerary rituals and held titles including ‘royal scribe’ and ‘chief supervisor of livestock’.

Painted wall scene in the Tomb of Ptahemwia. Image: copyright of the Ministry for Tourism and Antiquities

The tomb, discovered last year near to the Saqqara tomb of Horemheb, contained painted plastered scenes depicting cattle being led to slaughter.