TAA i.12.20

                                                                                                                (8)

                                               UNWRAPPING THE KING’S MOTHER.

Note:- Enclosed within the wrappings of the King’s mummy were 143 objects,/<.>

They comprised a diadem, <Ceremonial> c<o>llars, pectoral ornaments, bracelets, and two

daggers, arranged in 101 groups. Of these I will show you the principal

specimens:

                                                      ENCIRCLING HIS HEAD WAS:-

121|827. THE DIADEM, front view.

122|829. THE DIADEM, back view.

123|831. THE NEKHEBET VULTURE INSIGNIA OF SOUTHERN KINGDOM.

                 Note-: A remarkable example of fine metal-work. The details of 

                 which makes it clear that the bird, symbolical of the Upper Egyptian

                 goddess, was Vultur auricularis – the Sociable vulture.

          The removal of the final wrappings that protected the face

of the king needed the outmost care, as owing to the carbonized

state of the mummy there was always the risk of injury to the

fragile features. At the touch of a sable brush the last few

fragments of decayed fabric fell away, revealing a serene and

placid countenance, that of a young man.

124|809. THE KING’S HEAD.

                 Note:- The refined and cultural face, wee<l>l formed features, es-

                 pecially the clearly marked lips.

                     COVERING THE CHEST WERE COLLARS AND PECTORALS.

125|844.  A FLEXIBLE NEKHEBET COLLAR, made up of 256 gold plaques

                elaborately inlaid with polychrome glass, and threaded

                together with borders of minute gold beads.

126|852. A NEKHEBET PECTORIAL ORNAMENT.

127|854. A LUNAR AND SOLAR KHEPER BEETLE PECTORAL ORNAMENT.