Perth Museum to Unveil Ancient Egyptian Sarcophagus with New Digital Reconstruction

 

An ancient Egyptian sarcophagus housed at Perth Museum since its donation to the Scottish collection in 1936 is set to capture the public's imagination with a stunning digital reconstruction of the woman mummified within it approximately 2,500 years ago. The reconstruction will be showcased as part of the museum's upcoming exhibition, Waters Rising, which opens on November 8.

Curators and experts believe the woman, identified as “Ta-Kr-Hb” or “Takerheb,” was likely a black woman from the Kingdom of Kush—one of the ancient world's largest empires, which extended into modern-day Sudan and controlled Upper Egypt. Dr. Chris Rynn, a craniofacial anthropologist and forensic artist, led the reconstruction efforts and observed that the skull shape of the mummified individual differed significantly from typical ancient Egyptian skulls. He explained, “The skull shape doesn’t look like any of the ancient Egyptians that I’ve seen before. Kemetic skulls typically have narrow, long craniums and more prominent noses.”

Rynn clarified that his reconstruction process is scientifically grounded, stating, “As you reconstruct the face, you’ve got no control over its shape because it’s all locked to the skull by the scientific method. I don’t have any artistic license until the final stage, when the photo-realistic textures and color are added.” He believes that the woman’s features align with historical evidence and archaeological findings regarding the Kushite population.

The sarcophagus, adorned with hieroglyphics, indicates that Takerheb was likely a priestess or princess who passed away in her thirties, suffering from severe tooth decay. Experts believe she lived during Egypt's 25th to 26th dynasties (c. 760-525 BC). Dr. Mark Hall, the museum's collections officer, stated, “What we now know from Chris’s facial reconstruction is that the female is Kushite. At this particular time, 2,500 years ago, the Kushite empire conquered Egypt, leading to a succession of black Kushite pharaohs.”

Notably, Rynn pointed out the discrepancy between the sarcophagus's likeness and its occupant, as it was common for such artifacts to not accurately represent the individuals they contained. He noted that the inside of the lid features a painting of a woman with darker skin, adding depth to the reconstruction.

In Rynn's portrayal, Takerheb is depicted as bald, a practice common among priests and priestesses for ceremonial and hygienic reasons. He explained, “If she was a princess, she probably would have shaved her head, too, but she might have worn a ceremonial wig.” The sarcophagus also features imagery of the goddess Maat, who played a significant role in the judgment of souls in the afterlife.

João Philippe Reid, the museum’s exhibitions manager, expressed enthusiasm for the exploration of marginalized histories. He stated, “Seeing a Sudanese face appear is really exciting. These histories are hiding in plain sight.”

The sarcophagus is believed to have been discovered in the late 19th century before being sold from a museum in Cairo to an Alloa businessman. It arrived in Alloa around 1892 and was eventually donated to Perth Museum. The museum’s collection also includes the famed Stone of Destiny, historically used for the coronation of British monarchs.

The Waters Rising exhibition will address the theme of climate change from a historical perspective, highlighting how the sarcophagus has suffered damage due to Nile flooding. Hall concluded, “We hope it gives visitors the feeling that here’s someone you can readily relate to as another human being.”