In 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb after years of searching in the Valley of the Kings. Digging around some old workers’ huts, he found a step carved into the rock. More digging uncovered a sealed entrance with Tutankhamun’s seal. After clearing rubble, Carter found the stone door, cut a hole and lit a candle. At ýrst, he saw nothing, but then as his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he saw strange animals, statues and gold.
SOURCE3 The Illustrated London News described the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb on 9 December 1922 as ‘the most sensational Egyptological discovery of the century’.
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Key findings in Tutankhamun’s tomb A The antechamber held about 700 items like stools, beds, statues, chariots, jars, lamps and clothing. B The side chamber had 600 items, including furniture, food baskets, and jars of wine and oil. C 200 000 tonnes of rubble were removed to access the tomb. D The gold-covered burial chamber was 5 metres by 3.5 metres, with three cofýns, the innermost of 1100 kg of gold, called a sarcophagus , holding his mummy. E The mummy had a gold mask adorned with blue glass and semi-precious stones. F The treasury held treasures like a shrine with canopic jars, gold statues, a golden throne and jewellery .
SkillBuilder discussion Historical questions 1. Identify the different objects visible in Tutankhamun’s tomb. 2. Describe the layout of the tomb shown in the image. 3. Explain the purpose of the items found in Tutankhamun’s tomb.
SOURCE4 Translated inscription Tutankhamun had carved into a stone column, marking a return to the worship of many gods
I found the temples fallen into ruin, with their holy places overthrown and their courts overgrown with weeds. I reconstructed their sanctuaries, I endowed the temples and made them gifts of all precious things. I cast statues of the gods in gold and electrum, decorated with lapis lazuli and all ýne stones.
TOPIC3 Ancient Egypt 103
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