4500 Year Old Egyptian Queen Khentkaus III Rediscovered

Last updated on: July 7, 2022 at 4:40 pm by Lilith Dorsey

4500 Year Old Egyptian Queen Khentkaus III Rediscovered 2022-07-07T16:40:42-05:00 Lilith Dorsey

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Neferkhau Neferefre photo by Juan Rodriguez Lazaro. Licensed under CC 2.0

History, or Herstory rather, refuses to let a good woman be kept down. It is the start of the New Year and already there have been many pleasant surprises, one in the form of a Queen. Earlier this week the Minister of Antiquities announced the discovery of the tomb of 5th Century Queen Khentkaus III, wife of Neferefre. The findings occurred at Abu Sir in Egypt. The Luxor Times reports that the discovery was made “during the excavations of the Czech Institute of Egyptology directed by Dr. Miroslav Barta. “ Archaeologists are excited, as little information is had for this particular period. The excavation findings include funerary pots, tools of copper and inscriptions for this “(wife)mother of the king.” In addition to the tomb there was also a separate shrine area for offerings. They found offerings, pots, and inscriptions … but what about the Queen herself ? A post by International Business Times states “Unfortunately Khentkaus III’s mummy is no where to be found, either due to looting in ancient times or from being moved by priests in antiquity to prevent her body from being destroyed. “ Despite the powerful female legacy of this woman, something has been, and is literally lacking.

This rediscovered Queen calls to mind another great Egyptian Queen that History has not represented fully either- I am speaking of Queen Hatshepsut. Considered to be the most successful female ruler, she had the longest reign as Queen, almost 20 years. She lived from 1508 BCE- 1458 BCE, and became Queen when she was a mere 12 years old. Over time she obtained the title and even the regalia of Pharaoh. The record of Hatshepsut’s rule, however, is spotty. Despite her body and temple being preserved to withstand the tests of time, the historical record contains very little. Her name is not present in the list of kings, and many of her icons were destroyed by subsequent rulers. Thankfully however there are many elements of Queen Hatshepsut’s legacy that still survive. The most notable one is her temple at Deir el-Bahri. Located on the Western bank of the Nile, the site had already been a sacred valley for funerary goddesses when the temple construction began. The mortuary temple located there is an architectural marvel containing elaborate tiers, statues and even honored myrrh trees. Much attention has resurfaced of late surround this Holy woman and why both the circumstances surrounding her death, and subsequent suppression from the historical record occured. Here is one take on it from Ted.Ed

The Pharaoh That Wouldn’t Be Forgotten

This is a fascinating topic, that will hopefully unfold more in the future. I am excited both as an anthropologist and as a priestess, for the legacy of the primal feminine pioneered by women like Queen Khentkaus III, Queen Hatshepsut, and Queen Nzinga are vital to us all. Stay tuned to the Voodoo Universe to see where history may take us next !

About Lilith Dorsey

Lilith Dorsey M.A., hails from many magickal traditions, including Afro-Caribbean, Celtic, and Indigenous American spirituality. Their traditional education focused on Plant Science, Anthropology, and Film at the University of R.I, New York University, and the University of London, and their magickal training includes numerous initiations in Santeria also known as Lucumi, Haitian Vodoun, and New Orleans Voodoo. Lilith Dorsey is also a Voodoo Priestess and in that capacity has been doing successful magick since 1991 for patrons, is editor/publisher of Oshun-African Magickal Quarterly, filmmaker of the experimental documentary Bodies of Water :Voodoo Identity and Tranceformation,’ and choreographer/performer for jazz legend Dr. John’s “Night Tripper” Voodoo Show. They have long been committed to providing accurate and respectful information about the African Traditional Religions and are proud to be a published Black author of such titles as Voodoo and African Traditional Religion, 55 Ways to Connect to Goddess, The African-American Ritual Cookbook, Love Magic, the bestselling Orishas, Goddesses and Voodoo Queens and the award winning Water Magic. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

January 6, 2015

January 6 - Three Kings' Day Feast

Next Post

January 12, 2015 21 Wonderful Ways to Use Florida Water Cologne

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Ancestors astrology Candomble Crystals Divination Entertainment Goddess Herbs Hoodoo Ifa Pagan Ritual Recipes Santeria Spells Uncategorized Vodou Voodoo Witchcraft

Select a Month May 2025 January 2025 September 2024 August 2024 April 2024 March 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 September 2023 June 2023 March 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 January 2022 November 2021 October 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

I am a bush that burned but was not consumed, from which God spoke to Moses. What am I?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Ark of the Covenant The burning bush Pillar of fire A holy fire