Wrapped like a ghost, hidden from sight, and capable of firing rays from his eyes, Medjed remains one of ancient Egypt’s greatest religious mysteries.

Who Was Medjed?

Medjed (Egyptian: Mḏd), whose name is usually translated as “The Smiter” or “The Striker,” was a supernatural being associated with the afterlife and the realm of Osiris.

Almost everything we know about Medjed comes from the Book of the Dead, particularly from Spell 17, a spell filled with cryptic theological references and obscure divine beings.

One famous translation by Egyptologist E. A. Wallis Budge reads:

“I know the being Medjed who is among them in the House of Osiris, shooting rays of light from his eye, but who himself is unseen. He goeth round about heaven robed in the flame of his mouth, commanding Hapi, but remaining himself unseen.”

This brief passage tells us several remarkable things about Medjed:

• He belonged to the House of Osiris, the divine realm of the dead.
• He possessed the power to emit rays or beams from his eyes.
• He was invisible or otherwise impossible to perceive.
• He traveled through the heavens.
• Fire or flame issued from his mouth.
• He exercised authority over Hapi, the god associated with the Nile inundation.

Despite these impressive powers, no surviving temple, priesthood, or cult dedicated specifically to Medjed has ever been discovered.

What Did Medjed Look Like?

The most famous images of Medjed appear in the Greenfield Papyrus, where he is depicted as an unusual, ghost-like figure.

He appears as a rounded, cloth-covered being with:

• A featureless white body.
• Only two human feet protruding beneath the covering.
• Large eyes peering from the fabric.
• No visible arms.
• No visible mouth.

To modern audiences, Medjed often resembles a cartoon ghost or a person hidden beneath a sheet.

Egyptologists are uncertain whether this appearance represented:

• A wrapped mummy.
• A supernatural spirit.
• A hidden or invisible divine force.
• A symbolic representation of a power that could not be fully seen.

His unusual appearance may have visually reinforced the text’s claim that Medjed remained “unseen.”

Medjed and the House of Osiris

The texts place Medjed within the “House of Osiris.”

Osiris ruled the Egyptian underworld and presided over the judgment of the dead. The House of Osiris may refer to:

• The divine court of the afterlife.
• A sacred region of the Duat (underworld).
• The hidden realm where deceased souls awaited judgment.

Many beings associated with this realm were mysterious, dangerous, and only partially understood, even by the ancient Egyptians themselves. Medjed appears to have been one of these enigmatic underworld beings.

Why Did Medjed Command Hapi?

One of the strangest details about Medjed is the statement that he commanded Hapi.

Hapi was the divine personification of the annual Nile flood, the event upon which Egyptian civilization depended. The inundation brought fertile silt that allowed crops to grow.

Scholars remain uncertain why Medjed was said to command Hapi.

Some Egyptologists suggest that this relationship may symbolize hidden cosmic forces controlling the life-giving waters of Egypt. Others believe the passage reflects theological traditions that have since been lost.

Because so few references to Medjed survive, no definitive explanation exists.

Was Medjed Worshipped?

There is currently no evidence that Medjed possessed:

• Temples.
• Priests.
• Festivals.
• Dedicated cult centers.
• Royal patronage.

This does not necessarily mean that Medjed was unimportant.

Ancient Egyptian religion included countless supernatural beings, guardians, spirits, and minor gods who played specific roles in the afterlife without receiving widespread public worship.

Medjed may have been one such divine being.

The Greenfield Papyrus: Our Greatest Source for Medjed

The most famous depictions of Medjed appear in the Greenfield Papyrus, one of the finest surviving examples of an Egyptian Book of the Dead.

What Is the Greenfield Papyrus?

The Greenfield Papyrus is an exceptionally long and beautifully illustrated funerary manuscript dating to approximately 950 to 930 BC, during the late Twenty-first or early Twenty-second Dynasty.

It was created for a noblewoman named Nestanebetisheru (also spelled Nesitanebtashru), daughter of the High Priest of Amun, Pinedjem II, and a priestess herself.

As a member of Egypt’s elite, she was buried with a lavishly decorated Book of the Dead intended to guide and protect her in the afterlife.

Today, the papyrus is housed in the British Museum.

Why Is It Called the Greenfield Papyrus?

The manuscript is named after Edith Mary Greenfield, who donated it to the British Museum in 1910.

How Large Is the Greenfield Papyrus?

The original scroll measured approximately:

• 37 meters (121 feet) in length
• Around 47 centimeters (18.5 inches) in height

It is among the longest surviving Book of the Dead papyri ever discovered.

For preservation purposes, the scroll has been divided into 96 separate sections, each mounted between sheets of glass.

What Does the Papyrus Contain?

The Greenfield Papyrus contains:

• Spells from the Egyptian Book of the Dead.
• Hymns to numerous gods.
• Funerary prayers.
• Illustrated vignettes depicting the journey through the afterlife.
• Scenes of creation mythology.
• Divine beings and guardians of the underworld.

The text is written primarily in hieratic script, although some sections include hieroglyphs.

Famous Scenes Found in the Greenfield Papyrus

The manuscript includes many spectacular scenes, including:

• The sky goddess Nut arching over the earth god Geb.
• The deceased worshipping before divine beings.
• The cat of Ra slaying the serpent Apophis.
• Numerous underworld guardians.
• Creation scenes linked with rebirth.
• Several mysterious divine figures, including Medjed.

The famous Medjed illustrations appear within vignettes accompanying Spell 17, one of the oldest and most complex chapters of the Book of the Dead.

For nearly three thousand years, Medjed remained virtually unknown outside scholarly circles.

Everything changed in 2012, when images from the Greenfield Papyrus were exhibited in Japan. Many visitors noticed that Medjed resembled a charming cartoon ghost.

The deity quickly became an internet phenomenon, inspiring:

• Fan art.
• Plush toys.
• Manga.
• Cosplay.
• Video game appearances.
• Countless online memes.

Ironically, one of ancient Egypt’s most obscure gods has become one of its most recognizable figures in popular culture.

The Mystery of Medjed

Despite modern popularity, Medjed remains fundamentally mysterious.

We still do not know:

• His precise role in Egyptian theology.
• Why he commanded Hapi.
• Why he remained invisible.
• Whether he possessed a local cult.
• Whether he represented a cosmic force, guardian spirit, or independent deity.

Perhaps this mystery explains his enduring appeal. Even after more than three thousand years, Medjed still remains unseen.

Meanwhile, in Egypt, archaeologists are opening sealed ancient coffins that have remained untouched for more than 2,500 years.

What could possibly go wrong?

On October 3, 2020, Egyptian archaeologists unsealed one of dozens of remarkably well-preserved sarcophagi discovered in the ancient necropolis of Saqqara, just south of Cairo. The event was broadcast live before journalists, officials, and invited guests from around the world.

As cameras rolled, archaeologists carefully lifted the lid from the first coffin, revealing a mummy wrapped in elaborately decorated burial linens. The mummy had lain undisturbed since the Late Period of ancient Egyptian history, making it one of the most significant discoveries in recent years.

Discovery at Saqqara

The coffins were discovered earlier in 2020 deep within burial shafts at Saqqara, one of Egypt’s most important archaeological sites. The necropolis served as the cemetery for the ancient city of Memphis, Egypt’s first capital, for more than three thousand years.

Saqqara is perhaps best known for the Step Pyramid of King Djoser, built around 2670 BC by the architect Imhotep. The vast cemetery also contains countless tombs, temples, pyramids, and underground burial complexes spanning nearly every period of ancient Egyptian history.

Because of its immense historical significance, Saqqara was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

Archaeologists initially announced the discovery of 13 sealed coffins in September 2020. However, as excavations continued, the number quickly grew. Eventually, officials revealed that at least 59 sealed wooden sarcophagi had been uncovered, many stacked atop one another in burial shafts reaching depths of approximately 12 meters (40 feet).

Even more astonishing was their state of preservation.

According to Egypt’s Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mostafa Waziri, the coffins were found in “almost perfect condition,” with much of their original paint and decoration still intact after twenty-five centuries underground.

“We are very happy about this discovery,” Waziri said, calling it “the gift of the century” for Egyptian archaeology.

Khaled El-Anaby, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, right, and Mostafa Waziri, the secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, left, react after opening the sarcophagus is around 2,500 years old at the Saqqara archaeological site, south of Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020.

Who Were the Dead?

The individuals buried within the coffins are believed to have been priests, officials, and other elite members of society who lived during Egypt’s Late Period, roughly between the 26th and 30th Dynasties (c. 664-332 BC).

Many of the burials appear to be associated with the cult of Ptah-Sokar, an important funerary deity worshipped at Memphis.

The richly painted coffins, carefully wrapped mummies, and valuable burial goods suggest that these individuals belonged to the upper levels of Egyptian society.

However, archaeologists believe that many more undiscovered burials still lie hidden beneath the sands of Saqqara.

“I consider this the beginning of a big discovery,” said Khaled el-Anany, then Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities. “Today is not the end.”

Extraordinary Artifacts

The discovery yielded far more than just coffins.

Archaeologists also uncovered dozens of funerary objects, including beautifully carved ushabti figurines, small statues placed in tombs to serve the deceased in the afterlife.

Among the most spectacular finds was a rare bronze statue of the god Nefertem, the deity associated with perfume, healing, and the lotus flower. The statue was inlaid with precious stones and stood nearly 35 centimeters (14 inches) tall.

Additional statues depicting Osiris, lord of the underworld, as well as numerous amulets and ritual objects, were also recovered from the burial shafts.

These discoveries offer archaeologists valuable insights into the religious beliefs and burial practices of Egyptians living during the Late Period.

Reviving Egyptian Tourism

The discovery came at a particularly difficult moment for Egypt.

The country’s tourism industry, which relies heavily on visitors drawn by Egypt’s ancient monuments, had suffered severe losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Political unrest during the previous decade had already placed a significant strain on the sector.

An archeology worker opens a sarcophagus at the Saqqara archaeological site, 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Cairo, Egypt, on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in the presence of journalists and officials.

Egyptian authorities hoped that spectacular archaeological discoveries such as those at Saqqara would help reignite international interest in the country’s rich heritage.

Many of the coffins and artifacts were earmarked for display at the newly constructed Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids, where visitors would eventually be able to see these extraordinary finds for themselves.

A Discovery That Keeps Growing

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the 2020 discovery was the realization that archaeologists had only begun to explore the site. Excavations at Saqqara have continued to reveal new tombs, mummies, statues, and burial chambers, confirming that the ancient necropolis still holds many secrets.

More than 4,000 years after the first pyramids rose above the desert sands, Saqqara continues to surprise archaeologists and deepen our understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization.

What Happened to the 2020 Find?

• The initial announcement in September 2020 involved 13 sealed coffins, quickly expanding to at least 59 (many with well-preserved mummies inside) from Late Period burial shafts (roughly 26th–30th Dynasties, ~664–332 BC). A follow-up in November 2020 pushed the total from the same area to over 100 painted coffins, plus statues, ushabtis, a bronze Nefertem statue, and other artifacts.
• One or more coffins were opened live on camera, revealing mummies wrapped in decorated linens. The finds were in excellent condition due to the dry environment and careful stacking in deep shafts (~12 meters).
• These belonged to priests, officials, and elites linked to the cult of Ptah-Sokar at ancient Memphis. No major scientific “bombshells” (such as unusual DNA or diseases) have dominated the headlines since, but the artifacts underwent conservation, study, and documentation as part of standard Egyptological work.

Post-2020 Developments

• Museum Displays: Many of these coffins, mummies, and associated artifacts were transferred for conservation and eventual display at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) near the Giza Pyramids. The GEM had a soft/trial opening and fully opened to the public in late 2025 (with an official inauguration around November 2025). It now showcases thousands of artifacts, including items from recent Saqqara digs, helping boost tourism.
• Ongoing Excavations at Saqqara: This 2020 cache was just the start. Saqqara continues to yield major finds:
  • 2024–2025: Rock-cut tombs, mastabas (e.g., from the 2nd/3rd Dynasties and New Kingdom), a royal physician’s tomb (~4,100 years old) with rich decorations, and more Late Period/Ptolemaic material.
  • Japanese-Egyptian and French-Swiss teams have expanded the known boundaries of the necropolis and uncovered additional burials and artifacts.
  • Some newer tombs have been opened to visitors.

The murder of Pharaoh Ramesses III is one of the oldest documented political conspiracies in human history. For centuries, historians knew that a plot had been hatched against the aging pharaoh, but one crucial question remained unanswered: Did the conspirators succeed?

Today, thanks to ancient court records and modern forensic science, we know the answer. They did.

The Last Great Pharaoh

Ramesses III, the second pharaoh of Egypt’s Twentieth Dynasty, ruled from approximately 1186 to 1155 BC. Often regarded as the last great pharaoh of the New Kingdom, he successfully defended Egypt against foreign invasions, including attacks by the mysterious Sea Peoples.

Yet despite his military successes, danger lurked much closer to home. The threat came from within the royal palace itself.

The Harem Conspiracy

Like many pharaohs before him, Ramesses III maintained a large royal harem consisting of numerous wives and concubines. These women often came from powerful aristocratic and military families, making the harem as much a political institution as a domestic one.

Although Ramesses III likely had many wives, the names of only two queens are known with certainty: Tyti and Tiye.

Tyti’s son, the crown prince Amonherkhepeshef, was the designated heir to the throne and would later become Pharaoh Ramesses IV.

Queen Tiye, however, had other plans.

She wanted her own son, Prince Pentawer, to inherit the throne. To achieve this, she organized a conspiracy involving members of the royal household, palace officials, military personnel, and other women of the harem.

The conspiracy became known to modern scholars as the Harem Conspiracy.

The Plot Against the King

The details of the assassination attempt survive in a remarkable ancient document known as the Judicial Papyrus of Turin.

Rather than providing a detailed account of the crime, the papyrus records the names of those accused, the charges brought against them, and the punishments they received.

Many of the accused are identified by insulting pseudonyms rather than their real names. One conspirator, for example, is called Mesedsure, meaning “Re hates him.”

The conspirators included:

• Queen Tiye.
• Prince Pentawer.
• Pebekkamen, chief of the royal chamber.
• Royal butlers.
• Treasury officials.
• Military standard-bearers.
• Scribes and other palace officials.

The plot appears to have involved not only the assassination of Ramesses III but also an attempted coup designed to place Pentawer on the throne.

Ancient texts even suggest that the conspirators employed magic as part of their scheme. According to the papyri, wax figurines and magical spells were used to weaken or immobilize the king’s guards.

Did Ramesses III Survive?

For many years, scholars debated whether the assassination attempt had failed. The Judicial Papyrus opens with the full royal titulary of Ramesses III and includes instructions supposedly issued by the king himself:

“As for the matters which the people, I know not who, have plotted, go and examine them.”

Because of this, many historians believed Ramesses III survived long enough to oversee the trials.

Modern science has dramatically changed that view.

In 2012, CT scans of Ramesses III’s mummy revealed a massive wound across his throat. The cut measured approximately 7 centimeters (nearly 3 inches) wide and sliced through the trachea, esophagus, and major blood vessels.

The injury would almost certainly have killed him instantly.

The scans also revealed that embalmers had placed a protective Horus Eye amulet inside the wound, perhaps in an attempt to heal the king symbolically for the afterlife.

Ramesses III was ultimately buried in tomb KV11 in the Valley of the Kings, a magnificent tomb whose walls are covered with scenes from funerary texts intended to guide the king safely into the afterlife.

Today, there is little doubt that the conspirators succeeded in murdering the pharaoh. The trials were most likely conducted by his successor, Ramesses IV, in the name of his deceased father.

The Ancient Trial

A special tribunal consisting of twelve officials was appointed to investigate the conspiracy. The judges included treasury overseers, military officers, royal butlers, scribes, and other high-ranking officials.

Over the course of several trials, dozens of conspirators were found guilty.

The Judicial Papyrus repeatedly states: “They found him guilty. They caused his punishment to overtake him.”

In total, at least twenty-eight people were executed, while others, including Prince Pentawer, were apparently permitted to take their own lives.

The papyrus records Pentawer’s fate in chillingly brief language: “They left him in his place. He took his own life.”

Many scholars believe Pentawer committed suicide by poison.

Corruption in the Court

The conspiracy produced yet another scandal. Some of the accused women apparently attempted to seduce members of the tribunal during the proceedings.

Several judges were discovered secretly feasting and consorting with the women they were supposed to be prosecuting. The consequences were severe.

Two judges, Paibese and Mai, had their noses and ears cut off, a punishment intended to permanently disgrace them. Another official was formally reprimanded, while the fate of others remains uncertain.

What Happened to Tiye and Pentawer?

The exact fate of Queen Tiye is unknown, although she was almost certainly executed or forced to commit suicide.

Prince Pentawer was likewise condemned and likely died by his own hand.

Some scholars believe that the mysterious mummy known as “Unknown Man E,” discovered in the royal cache at Deir el-Bahri, may be Prince Pentawer. The mummy was buried unusually, wrapped in a goatskin, a material considered ritually impure by the ancient Egyptians. Genetic studies have suggested that the individual was closely related to Ramesses III, lending support to the theory. However, the identification remains uncertain, and not all Egyptologists agree that the mummy is Pentawer.

After their deaths, their names and images appear to have been deliberately erased in an attempt to deny them an afterlife, an ancient Egyptian practice similar to what later Romans called damnatio memoriae.

The Egyptians were so thorough that virtually everything we know about Tiye and Pentawer comes from the surviving trial records.

One of History’s First Murder Mysteries

The Harem Conspiracy remains one of the most extraordinary criminal cases from the ancient world. Through a combination of ancient papyri, archaeological evidence, and modern medical imaging, historians have reconstructed an assassination plot that unfolded more than 3,000 years ago.

It is a reminder that even the most powerful ruler in the ancient world was not safe from betrayal by those closest to him.