👩‍🌾Great Discoveries in Archaeology Unit 3 – Tutankhamun's Tomb: Egyptian Burial Secrets

Historical Context

• Tutankhamun, also known as King Tut, was an Egyptian pharaoh who ruled during the New Kingdom period (1332-1323 BCE)
• He ascended to the throne at the age of nine and died around the age of 18
• Tutankhamun's reign followed the Amarna Period, a time of religious and political upheaval under Pharaoh Akhenaten
  • Akhenaten had abandoned traditional Egyptian polytheism in favor of a new religion centered around the worship of the sun disk, Aten
  • This period saw a significant shift in art style, with more realistic and less idealized depictions of the royal family
• After Akhenaten's death, Tutankhamun restored the traditional Egyptian religion and moved the capital back to Thebes
• Despite his short reign, Tutankhamun commissioned numerous construction projects and restored many temples and monuments that had been damaged or neglected during the Amarna Period
• Tutankhamun's death at a young age led to a succession crisis, as he had no living heirs
  • His wife, Ankhesenamun, may have briefly ruled as pharaoh before Ay, a high-ranking official, took the throne

Discovery of the Tomb

• Tutankhamun's tomb (KV62) was discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter and his team in 1922
• The discovery was funded by Lord Carnarvon, a wealthy British nobleman who had a keen interest in Egyptology
• Carter had been searching for the tomb in the Valley of the Kings for several years before the discovery
  • The Valley of the Kings was a burial site for many New Kingdom pharaohs and other high-ranking officials
• The tomb's entrance was found beneath the remains of workmen's huts built during the construction of Ramesses VI's tomb
• Carter's team cleared the steps leading down to the sealed doorway, which bore the name of Tutankhamun
• Upon entering the tomb, Carter and his team found it largely intact, with most of its treasures untouched by grave robbers
  • This made it one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century

Excavation Process

• The excavation of Tutankhamun's tomb was a meticulous process that took nearly a decade to complete
• Carter and his team carefully documented and photographed each stage of the excavation
• The first room they entered, the antechamber, was filled with numerous objects, including chariots, furniture, and food offerings
• The team then discovered a sealed doorway leading to the burial chamber, which contained Tutankhamun's sarcophagus and nested coffins
• The excavation required the removal and cataloging of thousands of objects, many of which were fragile and required careful handling
  • Objects were numbered, photographed, and sketched before being removed from the tomb
• The team also had to contend with the intense heat and humidity inside the tomb, which made working conditions difficult
• The excavation attracted worldwide attention, with journalists and dignitaries visiting the site to witness the discovery firsthand

Tomb Layout and Architecture

• Tutankhamun's tomb consists of four main chambers: the antechamber, the annex, the burial chamber, and the treasury
• The tomb's layout is smaller and less complex compared to other royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings
  • This may be due to Tutankhamun's unexpected death and the need to prepare a tomb quickly
• The walls of the tomb are decorated with colorful murals depicting various scenes from Egyptian mythology and Tutankhamun's life
  • These include images of the pharaoh with various deities, hunting scenes, and funeral rituals
• The burial chamber houses Tutankhamun's sarcophagus, which is made of quartzite and decorated with intricate carvings
  • Inside the sarcophagus were three nested coffins, the innermost of which was made of solid gold
• The treasury contained many of the most valuable objects found in the tomb, including the famous golden mask of Tutankhamun
• The annex held numerous objects related to daily life, such as furniture, clothing, and musical instruments

Treasures and Artifacts

• Tutankhamun's tomb contained over 5,000 objects, many of which were made of precious materials like gold, silver, and semi-precious stones
• The most famous artifact is the golden mask of Tutankhamun, which covered the head and shoulders of the pharaoh's mummy
  • The mask is made of solid gold and features inlaid glass and semi-precious stones
• Other notable treasures include the pharaoh's golden throne, decorated with scenes of Tutankhamun and his wife, and the gilded wooden shrine that housed the king's canopic jars
• The tomb also contained numerous pieces of jewelry, including rings, bracelets, and pectorals adorned with gold and precious stones
• Functional objects, such as furniture, chariots, and weapons, provide insight into the daily life and funerary practices of ancient Egyptian royalty
• The variety and quality of the artifacts found in Tutankhamun's tomb have greatly contributed to our understanding of ancient Egyptian art, craftsmanship, and culture

Mummification Techniques

• Tutankhamun's mummy provides valuable information about the mummification practices of the New Kingdom period
• The mummification process aimed to preserve the body for the afterlife, as ancient Egyptians believed the soul needed a physical form to inhabit
• Tutankhamun's internal organs, except for the heart, were removed and placed in canopic jars
  • The heart was left in the body as it was believed to be the center of intelligence and emotion
• The body was then dried using natron, a naturally occurring salt, and wrapped in multiple layers of linen bandages
  • Amulets and other protective charms were placed between the layers of bandages to safeguard the deceased in the afterlife
• The mummy's head was covered with the famous golden mask, which was believed to help the pharaoh's spirit recognize his body in the afterlife
• Analysis of Tutankhamun's mummy has revealed that the young pharaoh suffered from various health issues, including a cleft palate, clubfoot, and malaria

Significance in Egyptology

• The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb is considered one of the most significant events in the history of Egyptology
• The tomb's intact state and the wealth of artifacts found within provided unprecedented insight into the life and death of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh
• The discovery captured the public's imagination and sparked a renewed interest in ancient Egyptian history and culture
  • This led to increased funding for archaeological expeditions and the establishment of new museums and research institutions
• The artifacts from Tutankhamun's tomb have been exhibited in museums around the world, attracting millions of visitors and generating significant revenue for Egypt's tourism industry
• The study of Tutankhamun's tomb has also contributed to advancements in archaeological techniques, such as the use of X-ray and CT scanning to analyze mummies and artifacts
• The tomb's discovery has inspired countless books, documentaries, and fictional works, cementing Tutankhamun's status as one of the most famous and recognizable figures from ancient history

Modern Analysis and Conservation

• In recent years, advanced scientific techniques have been employed to study Tutankhamun's mummy and the artifacts from his tomb
• CT scans and DNA analysis have provided new insights into the pharaoh's health, lineage, and cause of death
  • These studies have suggested that Tutankhamun suffered from various genetic disorders and that he may have died from a combination of malaria and a bone infection
• Conservation efforts have been ongoing to preserve the tomb and its contents for future generations
  • This includes the installation of air filtration systems to control humidity and reduce the growth of microorganisms
• In 2019, a new museum, the Grand Egyptian Museum, was partially opened near the Giza Pyramids
  • The museum will house many of the artifacts from Tutankhamun's tomb, providing a state-of-the-art facility for their display and preservation
• The study and conservation of Tutankhamun's tomb continue to be a priority for Egyptologists and conservators, as the site remains a vital source of information about ancient Egyptian history and culture