What Was Special About King Tut?

Men at entrance to Tut'ankhamun's tomb
On November 4, 1922, Howard Carter and his team of archaeologists discovered King Tut’s tomb. They were surprised by what they found inside!

King Tutankhamun (King Tut) was a pharaoh in ancient Egypt. He became pharaoh, or king, when he was nine years old. He is not famous for doing many things when he was king. He is more famous because of his tomb [the place where he was buried].

Egyptians buried their kings with many important items. They believed the kings needed the items in the afterlife. Thousands of years later, people robbed the tombs to steal the treasures inside. King Tut’s tomb was different. It was hidden, so robbers didn’t find it.  

In 1922, a British archaeologist named Howard Carter found King Tut’s tomb. When he and his team opened it, they were amazed. The items that were buried with King Tut were still there! They found four rooms full of items for the journey to the afterlife. There were oils and perfumes, food and water, toys, jewelry, and golden statutes. Paintings on the wall told the story of King Tut’s life and his journey to the afterlife.

King Tut’s body was in a coffin made out of gold. He had a mask on his face made of gold and gems. It weighs 22 pounds! It’s one of the most famous works of art in history.

What Do You Think? King Tut was buried with objects that were important to him. What objects are very important in your life?

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