After the conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, Ptolemy I succeeded in establishing himself as pharaoh. The Ptolemies were of Macedonian (Greek) origin and brought their own culture, but also respected the Egyptian traditions and religious customs. The Ptolemaic dynasty reigned for almost 300 years until the death of the famous Cleopatra VII in 30 BC. After that, Egypt became a Roman province.
Of the mummies studied here, Ms. X and Mr. X both date from the early Ptolemaic period around 300 BC. These mummies exhibit several characteristic features, which are examined in more detail based on the head of Ms. X.
The mummy of Khonsu-maa-kheru, on the other hand, is around 600 years older. It dates from the Third Intermediate Period between New Kingdom and Late Period, the latter directly preceding the Greco-Roman period.
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