title: Revisiting the harem conspiracy and death of Ramesses III: anthropological, forensic, radiological, and genetic study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the true character of the harem conspiracy described in the Judicial Papyrus of Turin and determine whether Ramesses III was indeed killed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anthropological, forensic, radiological, and genetic study of the mummies of Ramesses III and unknown man E, found together and taken from the 20th dynasty of ancient Egypt (circa 1190-1070 BC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Computed tomography scans revealed a deep cut in Ramesses III's throat, probably made by a sharp knife. During the mummification process, a Horus eye amulet was inserted in the wound for healing purposes, and the neck was covered by a collar of thick linen layers. Forensic examination of unknown man E showed compressed skin folds around his neck and a thoracic inflation. Unknown man E also had an unusual mummification procedure. According to genetic analyses, both mummies had identical haplotypes of the Y chromosome and a common male lineage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that Ramesses III was murdered during the harem conspiracy by the cutting of his throat. Unknown man E is a possible candidate as Ramesses III's son Pentawere.
authors.affiliation: Supreme Council of Antiquities, Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Zahi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hawass
authors.forename: Somaia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: Ashraf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Selim
authors.forename: Sahar N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Saleem
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fathalla
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wasef
authors.forename: Ahmed Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Gad
authors.forename: Rama
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saad
authors.forename: Suzan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fares
authors.forename: Hany
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amer
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gostner
authors.forename: Yehia Z
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Gad
authors.forename: Carsten M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Pusch
authors.forename: Albert R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Zink
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D000076144:Egypt, Ancient; D005197:Famous Persons; D006239:Haplotypes; D049690:History, Ancient; D006708:Homicide / Q000266:history*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009106:Mummies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000266:history*; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000266:history*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000266:history; D055815:Young Adult