King Tutankhamen Who was he? Why was the discovery of his tomb so important? Slide #1

Where is Egypt? Egypt Slide #2

King Tut: the Boy King King Tut became king of Egypt at the age of nine He only ruled for ten years, and died at the age of nineteen He ruled over a unified Egypt which is why he is shown in these statues wearing the crowns of both upper and lower Egypt. Tut as King of Lower Egypt Tut as King of Upper Egypt Slide #3

King Tut was originally named Tutankhaten because his father, Akhenaten’s, religious devotion to Aten, the spirit of the sun god. Tut’s mother was probably a woman named Kiya, Akehenaten’s secondary wife. Tut was married at age nine to Ankhesenpaaten, who was his half sister. Tutankhamun died in 1325 BC Tut’s cause of death is still unknown King Tut: Family Relationships Slide #4

Tut’s Tomb Tut was buried in a small tomb near the floor of the Valley of the Kings. Tut’s body was first dried out with salts and resins were applied to protect the skin. The brain was removed through the nostrils, and his limbs were wrapped in fine linen bandages. Different objects were wrapped up in the linens with in his coffins that give us many clues into the life and beliefs of Ancient Egyptians. Slide #5

The Discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun - I In 1914 an Englishman named Howard Carter began digging sites in the Valley of the Kings Slide #6

On the morning of November 4,1922 a boy carrying water for Carter discovered steps that led to the doorway of Tut’s tomb The Discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun - II Slide #7

Two weeks later, Lord Carnarvon, who was paid for his work, joined Carter in the Valley of the Kings Carter made a hole in the doorway and had a first look at the tomb by candle light. The Discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun - III Slide #8

Carter’s first impression of the tomb “At first I could see nothing, the hot air escaping from the chamber causing the candle flame to flicker, but presently,as my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room within emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, statues, and gold- everywhere the glint of gold…I was struck dumb with amazement, and when Lord Carnarvon, unable to stand the suspense any longer inquired anxiously, “can you see anything?” It was all I could do to get out the words, “yes, wonderful things.” Slide #9

Let’s take a closer look at some of the “wonderful things” in King Tut’s tomb in order to learn more about Ancient Egypt Slide #10

Some of the “Wonderful Things” Carter saw in the Tomb: Slide #11

Some of the “Wonderful Things” Carter saw in the Tomb: Slide #12

Some of the “Wonderful Things” Carter saw in the Tomb: Slide #13

Objects from King Tut’s tomb can give us clues about life in Ancient Egypt From these clues we can learn about: 1.Daily life in Ancient Egypt 2.Ancient Egyptian burial practices and religion 3.Geography and trade in Ancient Egypt 4.Power and politics in Ancient Egypt Slide #14

Archaeologists learn from the clues by asking questions about each of the objects. Slide #15

What does this box tell us about Ancient Egypt : a few questions and archaeologist might ask Daily life in Ancient Egypt How was the object made? What skills did the people who made it have to have? Power and Politics in Ancient Egypt What do symbols and “hieroglyphic text” mean? Slide #16

What does this coffinette tell us about Ancient Egypt : a few questions and archaeologist might ask Burial Practices and Religion in Ancient Egypt Why did Ancient Egyptians build such elaborate objects for the Pharoah’s burial? What did they believe about death and life after death? Slide #17

What does this coffinette tell us about Ancient Egypt : a few questions and archaeologist might ask Geography and Trade in Ancient Egypt Where did the gold for the coffinette come from? Slide #18

What does this model boat tell us about Ancient Egypt : a few questions and archaeologist might ask Geography and Trade in Ancient Egypt Where did the materials to make it come from? How did Egyptians travel and trade goods? Slide #19