No, Ramesses II Doesn't Have a Passport

Yasmine Sami

Artsandculture

20th January 2021

Digitally created passport(Screenshot).

The Claim

A photo depicts the passport of Ramses II's mummy.

News posted on

Emerging story

In January 2021, social media users circulated an image claiming it shows the passport of the mummy Ramses II. Users claimed the passport was transferred to Paris.

There has been always news circulating about the issuance of a passport for King Ramses II, as it was alleged that the reason behind obtaining a passport for the mummy is due to the Egyptian law, which imposes on anyone who wants to leave the country, whether alive or dead. Others claimed that the reason behind obtaining the passport was at the request of the French government, which was refused entry to anyone who did not hold a passport even if he was dead.

Misbar’s Analysis

Misbar's team didn't find any evidence of a passport being issued to the mummy of pharaoh Ramesses II. The passport was created by an artist for representative purposes – The actual passport is not publicly available.

In the case of transfers, mummies are considered under classical property law. The term 'passport' is therefore false, but it is true that some antiques require authorization to be transferred out of the country.
According to the European Court of Justice, mummies are classified as "objects", obviously they won't need a passport.