Royal Cache

The Royal Cache, technically known as TT320 (previously referred to as DB320), is an Ancient Egyptian tomb located next to Deir el-Bahari, in the Theban Necropolis, opposite the modern city of Luxor.

The tomb was originally used as last resting place of High Priest of Amun Pinedjem II, his wife Neskhons, and other close family members.

In 2021 the mummies were moved to a modern display area in the new National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, following the high-profile Pharaohs' Golden Parade.

The tomb is thought to have initially been the last resting place of High Priest of Amun Pinedjem II, his wife Nesikhons, and other close family members.

Pinedjem II died around 969 BCE, in a time of decline of the Egyptian kingdom, during which mummies from former dynasties were vulnerable to grave robbery.

It was initially believed that this tomb originally belonged to an Eighteenth Dynasty queen who was found buried here.

[3] When the last of the mummies were placed in TT320, it seemed that the opening was naturally covered with sand and possibly other debris such as rocks, rendering it difficult to find.

Instead, the only other European member of the team, Émile Brugsch, was sent with one of the first Egyptian Egyptologists, Ahmed Kamal, to explore and examine TT320.

Upon their arrival in Cairo, several coffins were found to exhibit damage consistent with impacts sustained during handling or transport.

Brugsch documented the height of the different parts of the tomb and the measurement of the opening was just big enough to drag out the coffins.

Djedptahiuefankh was believed to be royal because on the Amduat papyrus his "priestly title" is immediately followed by "the king's son" and that is followed by "of Ramesses".

Similar text is found on the Book of the Dead papyrus with one exception, "the king's son" is followed by "of the lord of the two lands".

Cynthia Sheikholeslami says that "It is clear that the actual title [of Djedptahiuefankh] should be understood as 'king's son of Ramesses' rather than as an indication of membership in the royal family".

Entrance shaft of the royal cache
The location of the tomb above the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari
Gaston Maspero (sitting), Émile Brugsch (middle), and Mohammed Abd-er-Rasoul (holding the rope) photographed at the entrance to the tomb by Edward Livingston Wilson
Photograph of some of the coffins and mummies found in DB320. Taken before the mummies were unwrapped by Maspero.