King Tut’s Tomb | Biography, Tomb, Mummy, Mask, & Facts
Since the pharaohs were interred in their tombs thousands of years ago, thieves and treasure seekers have broken into the tombs and stolen almost all of the treasure. However, one treasure-filled tomb that was largely unexplored was found in 1922. It was Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt.
Where is the Tomb of King Tut?
The tomb is located in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, close to Luxor. For over 500 years in the course of Ancient Egypt’s existence, this served as the location for the burials of the Pharaohs and wealthy nobility.
Who found the Tomb?
Many archaeologists thought that the Valley of the Kings’ pharaohs’ tombs had all been discovered by 1914. Howard Carter, an archaeologist, disagreed, nevertheless. He believed that Tutankhamun’s tomb was still undiscovered.
Carter spent five years looking in the Valley of the Kings but came up nothing. Lord Carnarvon, who was financing Carter’s hunt, grew impatient and almost quit supporting it. Carter persuaded Carnarvon to make a one-year payment. The stakes were high. Carter still had a year to come up with a solution.
After six years of looking, Howard Carter discovered a step in 1922, hidden beneath a few dilapidated workmen’s tents. Soon after, he discovered a staircase and the entrance to King Tut’s tomb. What could be found inside? Would it be vacant like all the other previously discovered tombs?
What was found in the tomb?
Carter entered the tomb and discovered rooms stuffed with gold. It also includes chariots, model boats, canopic jars, chairs, paintings, statues, gold jewelry, Tutankhamun’s mummy, and jewels. It was a fantastic find and one of the most significant in archeology history. Over 5,000 items in all were found in the tomb. To catalog everything, Carter and his crew needed ten years.
How big was the tomb?
For a Pharaoh, the tomb was rather compact. Archaeologists think Tutankhamun utilized it after he passed away at a young age even though it was originally intended for an Egyptian noble.
The antechamber, burial chamber, annex, and treasure chamber were the tomb’s four principal rooms.
- The first space Carter entered was the antechamber. Three coffin beds and the remnants of four chariots were among the many things it contained.
- The sarcophagus and King Tut’s mummy were located in the burial chamber. Three nested coffins contained the mummy. The ultimate casket was crafted from pure gold.
- The king’s organ-holding canopic casket was kept in the treasury. Additionally, there were a lot of artifacts, including model boats and gilded statues.
- There were many different items in the annex, such as board games, cooking supplies, and dishes.
Was a curse actually cast?
When King Tut’s tomb was first discovered, a lot of people believed that anyone who entered it would be cursed. People believed the tomb was cursed when Lord Carnarvon died from a mosquito bite a year after entering it.
Soon, rumors started to circulate, heightening people’s belief in and terror of the curse. Newspapers said that a curse was written on the tomb’s door. It was rumored that on the day he entered the tomb, Howard Carter’s pet canary was devoured by a cobra. It was also reported that 13 of the 20 individuals who were present when the burial room was opened passed away shortly after.
All of these were simply rumors, though. The number of deaths within ten years of the initial visit to the tomb is the same as what is typically predicted, according to scientific analysis.
King Tut’s Tomb Interesting Facts
Archaeologists only conducted their work during the winter since it was so hot in Egypt.
The tomb is referred known as KV62. The 62 refers to the fact that it was the 62nd tomb discovered in the Valley of the Kings, for which the KV stands.
22 pounds of gold were used to create King Tut’s gilded mask.
During the Treasures of Tutankhamun tour, which ran from 1972 to 1979, artifacts from King Tut’s tomb toured the globe.
The majority of the artifacts are currently on display in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt.
