For almost a hundred years, archaeologists have painstakingly tried to piece together fragments of a 3,000-year-old document known as the Turin King List. Written on papyrus, this ancient Egyptian document enumerates the kings of Egypt and the periods they ruled.
The Turin King List, also known as the Turin Royal Canon, is a hieratic papyrus thought to date from the reign of Ramesses II (1279-13 BCE), third king of the 19th Dynasty of ancient Egypt. The papyrus is now located in the Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum) at Turin. The papyrus is believed to be the most extensive list of kings compiled by the Egyptians, and is the basis for most chronology before the reign of Ramesses II.
However, what truly astonished the historians’ society was its revelation of a time when Egypt was ruled not by mortals, but by beings from the heavens—referred to as ‘Gods’ or ‘Demigods.’ This article explores the discovery, significance, and mysteries surrounding the Turin King List.
The Discovery of the Turin King List
The Turin King List, also called the Turin Royal Canon, was written in hieratic script, an ancient Egyptian cursive writing system. The papyrus was acquired in Thebes by Italian diplomat and explorer Bernardino Drovetti in 1822 during his travels to Luxor.
The Turin Canon Papyrus: The majority of king lists from ancient Egypt, including the Abydos king list, date to the New Kingdom (ca. 1570-1069 BC) and were carved in stone on temple walls in hieroglyphs. They served a cultic rather than historic function. They were not meant to be literal chronological lists and should not be treated as such. The Turin Canon, on the other hand, was written on papyrus in the cursive hieratic script, and is the most complete and historically accurate. It included ephemeral kings and queens that were normally excluded from other lists, as well as the lengths of their reigns. It is, therefore, an extremely valuable historical document.
Initially intact, the parchment crumbled into numerous fragments by the time it reached Italy, necessitating meticulous reconstruction. French Egyptologist Jean-Francois Champollion first assembled some 48 pieces, while later efforts by German-American archaeologist Gustavus Seyffarth added around 100 more. Despite significant restorations, notably by Giulio Farina in 1938 and adjustments by British Egyptologist Gardiner in 1959, historians continue to find and piece together missing fragments of this invaluable document.
The Significance of the Turin King List
Ancient Egyptian King Lists were typically commissioned by pharaohs to assert their legitimacy and showcase the longevity of their dynasties. These lists were often inscribed on durable surfaces like temple walls or rocks.
Napoleon’s proconsul Bernardino Drovetti first discovered the Turin Royal Canon Papyrus. Though Drovetti’s discoveries are commendable, because his methods were sometimes destructive – ruining monuments and artifacts for the sake of easy transportation and more profits.
The Turin King List is unique for its medium—papyrus—and its detailed content. Unlike other lists, it includes minor rulers and usurpers and meticulously records the length of each reign, sometimes even in months and days. It seems to have been compiled during the reign of Ramesses II, one of Egypt’s most famous pharaohs, and goes back to King Menes. Additionally, it groups kings by location rather than chronology and even includes the names of the Hyksos rulers of Egypt.
Gods and Demigods in the Turin King List
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Turin King List is its mention of a time when Egypt was ruled by divine beings. According to ancient texts, before the land of the Pharaohs was ruled by mortals, beings from the heavens reigned over Egypt for thousands of years.
Turin King List: Gods, demigods, and dead souls ruled for thousands of years.
The final lines of the papyrus, which seem to summarize the entire document, note the reign of the ‘Venerables Shemsu-Hor’ for 13,420 years and other reigns before them totaling 23,200 years, adding up to a staggering 36,620 years. This period is reminiscent of the Sumerian King List, which also records extraordinarily long reigns of ancient kings.
Historical Context and Comparisons
Manetho, an ancient Egyptian historian, also speaks of a time when gods and demigods ruled Egypt. His accounts are supported by other classical writers like Diodorus Siculus and Herodotus, who reported similar traditions about Egypt’s divine rulers. Diodorus mentioned that gods and heroes ruled Egypt for almost 18,000 years, while Herodotus recorded traditions of a highly advanced prehistoric civilization in Egypt.
3D rendering of monument architecture of the heritage of ancient Egypt. The famous sphinx in front with pyramids behind and palm trees in the dessert.
The Palermo Stone, another important king list, provides additional context but does not reach as far back into the past as the Turin King List. The lists often reflect a mix of historical records and mythological traditions, leaving much for interpretation and debate among modern scholars.
The Turin King List remains one of the most fascinating and controversial documents from ancient Egypt. Its detailed enumeration of kings, including divine beings, provides invaluable insights into Egyptian history and mythology. While the exact nature of these divine rulers remains a mystery, the Turin King List continues to be a crucial source for understanding the complex tapestry of Egypt’s past.