Member-only story

Tutankhamen: The Search for an Egyptian King

Dalton Foster

·16.8k Followers· Follow

Published in Joyce Tyldesley

5 min read · 1 week before

431 View Claps

61 Respond

Save

Listen

The Discovery of a Lifetime

On November 4, 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter made one of the most important archaeological discoveries in history: the tomb of King Tutankhamen.

Tutankhamen: The Search for an Egyptian King

by Joyce Tyldesley

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4999 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	336 pages

Tutankhamen, who ruled Egypt from 1332 to 1323 BC, was a relatively minor pharaoh. His tomb had been sealed for over 3,000 years, and it was filled with an astonishing array of treasures, including gold jewelry, furniture, chariots, and weapons.

Carter's discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb was a major turning point in the study of ancient Egypt. It provided scholars with a wealth of new information about Egyptian history, culture, and religion.

The Search for Tutankhamen

Carter's discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb was the culmination of a long and arduous search. Carter had been working in Egypt for over 15 years, and he had spent much of that time searching for the lost tomb of Tutankhamen.

Carter's search was based on the belief that Tutankhamen's tomb was located in the Valley of the Kings, a remote valley on the west bank of the Nile River. The Valley of the Kings was the burial ground for many of Egypt's pharaohs, and Carter believed that Tutankhamen's tomb would be hidden among the tombs of other pharaohs.

Carter's search was often frustrating. He spent years excavating in the Valley of the Kings, but he could not find any trace of Tutankhamen's tomb.

In 1922, Carter was on the verge of giving up his search. He had spent all of his money, and he was about to leave Egypt. However, a wealthy patron, Lord Carnarvon, offered to finance Carter's search for one more year.

With Carnarvon's help, Carter expanded his search to include the area around the tomb of Pharaoh Ramses VI. On November 4, 1922, Carter's team made a breakthrough. They discovered a small staircase hidden behind a pile of rubble.

Carter and his team carefully excavated the staircase, and they soon reached a sealed doorway. Carter knew that he had found the entrance to Tutankhamen's tomb.

The Treasures of Tutankhamen

When Carter and his team opened the door to Tutankhamen's tomb, they were amazed by what they saw. The tomb was filled with an astonishing array of treasures.

The most famous treasure from Tutankhamen's tomb is his golden death mask. The mask is made of solid gold and weighs over 10 pounds. It is one of the most iconic images of ancient Egypt.

In addition to the death mask, Tutankhamen's tomb also contained a variety of other treasures, including jewelry, furniture, chariots, and weapons. The tomb also contained a number of mummies, including the mummies of Tutankhamen's parents and grandparents.

The discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb was a major turning point in the study of ancient Egypt. It provided scholars with a wealth of new information about Egyptian history, culture, and religion.

The Curse of Tutankhamen

The discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb was followed by a series of mysterious deaths. Several of the people who were involved in the excavation of the tomb died within a few years of its discovery.

Some people believe that the deaths were caused by a curse that was placed on the tomb. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.

The curse of Tutankhamen is one of the most famous legends in archaeology. It is a reminder of the power of ancient Egypt and the mystery that still surrounds its history.

The discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb was one of the most important archaeological discoveries in history. It provided scholars with a wealth of new information about Egyptian history, culture, and religion.

The tomb also contains a number of mysteries, including the cause of Tutankhamen's death and the identity of his father. These mysteries continue to fascinate scholars and the public alike.

Tutankhamen's tomb is a testament to the power and glory of ancient Egypt. It is a reminder of the great achievements of the Egyptian people and the enduring legacy of their civilization.

Tutankhamen: The Search for an Egyptian King

by Joyce Tyldesley

4.6 out of 5