An ostracon, a humble piece of limestone, provides a glimpse into the life of a prince destined for greatness. Here, at the entrance of Prince Sethherkhepshef tomb (QV43), we’re on the trail of a pharaoh who wasn’t meant to be. Prince Sethherkhepshef, son of the mighty Ramesses III, was originally intended to rule Egypt from this very valley. His father, in a grand gesture, ordered the construction of five magnificent tombs for his sons. Prince Sethherkhepshef’s tomb, QV43, stands as a testament to this paternal ambition. You see, fate had other plans. While Prince Sethherkhepshef did ascend to the throne as Ramesses VIII, his reign was but a flicker in the grand timeline of Ancient Egypt. This ostracon, discovered in the Valley of the Queens and now residing in a museum in Turin, Italy, depicts him in the prime of his youth. He stands tall, sceptre in hand, the hieroglyphs proclaiming him “king’s son of his body, his beloved”. The tomb itself, carved into the Valley of the Queens, once echoed with the promise of a glorious afterlife. Though his reign was short, the artistry lavished upon this tomb and the echoes of his story whispered by the ostracon ensure that Prince Sethherkhepshef’s memory lives on.
Hauptfriedhof
Lost in time stands the Hauptfriedhof Trier. A tranquil expanse in the bustling city it’s more than just a cemetery.