Tutankhamun's Tomb—Luxor

Tutankhamun's Tomb—Luxor

The tomb of Tutankhamun is one of the most famous archaeological sites on the globe, as it houses the Tomb of Tutankhamun, the Valley of the Kings in Luxor. British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb in 1922 and found it stuffed full of treasures, offering an unparalleled perspective into the life and afterlife of ancient Egyptian royalty.Although not a long-time ruler, Tutankhamun's tomb is the most talked-about all over the world: the treasures it has preserved for posterity, notably the famous death mask, popularly known as the golden death mask. The discovery of the tomb recorded the splendor and customs of ancient Egypt, and today it has become a mecca for history lovers and tourists alike.

What was found in Tutankhamun's tomb?

1. Golden Death Mask
How it is, the golden death mask of Tutankhamun has been the most celebrated of the artifacts found in the tomb. Solid gold has a beautiful likeness of the king, complete with intricate designs and inlaid semi-precious stones. The mask was to be placed over Tutankhamun's mummified head to guarantee his successful journey to the afterlife.
2. Chariot
Many things were discovered, including two chariots, one of which was a very well-preserved and complete vehicle. Chariots served as symbols of royal power and, to an extent, had practical and ceremonial functions, providing transport for the king in the afterlife.
3. Throne
The throne was splendidly adorned with nothing short of golden embroidery in the tomb and a fine backrest that displayed Tutankhamun seated, along with his queen, Ankhesenamun. It is a clear example of ancient Egyptian handiwork and gives meaning to the royal court, especially with regard to the king's attitude towards his queen.
4. Jewelry
The findings were considerable amounts of jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. Most of them are made of precious metals like gold and inlaid with semi-precious stones like turquoise, lapis lazuli, and carnelian. There are many intricately designed jewels that create wonderful evidence of craftsmen's skills in Egypt.
5. Statues and statuettes
There were innumerable statues and statuettes of the various gods, as well as a few of the king himself. They served as protectors in the afterlife and rendered the king immortal. Among them are the statues of Anubis and Osiris—the gods statues.
6. Weapons
A collection of weapons can be found within the tomb. Mainly evident weapons include daggers, swords, and bows. The important thing is that most of the weapons were made of iron, which was very rare in Egypt at the time; some of them were inlaid with gold and precious stones.
7 . Canopic Jars
Stored in these jars are the internal organs of the king, which are the stomach, lungs, intestines, and liver. Found inside the tomb, these jars were intricately decorated and each represented a different god. They would accompany Tutankhamun into the afterlife by being placed within the burial chamber.
8. Furniture
Several furniture pieces, among them beds, chairs, and chests, were lavish with gold and ivory decorations. The furniture pieces were supposed to give comfort and serve for the pharaoh in his afterlife.
9. Shabti Figures
A very big collection of Shabti figures has been found. These small statues were deposited in tombs to act as servants for the deceased in the hereafter helping in labor and tasks. So great was the number of such figures in Tutankhamun's tomb that they appeared particularly elaborately carved and painted.
10. Food and Liquids
The tomb contained food items, including dried fruits, grains, and honey, and liquids like wine. These were all intended for the sustenance of the king in the afterlife.
11. Tunic and Clothing
Tunics and other clothes such as fine linen tunics, sandals, and headdresses could also be found. Some of the items were embroidered, signifying a high degree of luxury in the fabric of ancient Egyptian elites.
12. The Burial Chamber and Coffins
Inside a nested series of coffins, with the innermost made of solid gold, the mummified remains of Tutankhamun were found. The mummy was properly wrapped in such a way as to insert the mummified body of Pharaoh in the coffin with all the Pharaoh's most important treasures to the person for the journey to the afterlife.

History of Tutankhamun's Tomb, luxor

The history of Tutankhamun's Tomb in Luxor ranks among the most dramatic discoveries in archaeology. Originally built for the young pharaoh Tutankhamun, who reigned in Egypt during the 18th Dynasty from about 1332 to 1323 BCE, the tomb is situated in the Valley of the Kings. Becoming Ruler of Egypt at a tender age, he ruled for a brief period before passing away abruptly at about 18 years. Despite the brevity of his reign, its record became legendary largely due to the discovery of his tomb, which was not much disturbed when unearthed.
On November 4, 1922, the tomb was discovered by the British archaeologist Howard Carter. After walking for years of searching, he was able to locate the burial site under the patronage of Lord Carnarvon, a British aristocrat who financed the excavating efforts. That marked one of the most incredible archaeological finds in all history. Although most tombs in the Valley of the Kings had been plundered over the years, the tomb of Tutankhamun still lay untouched, containing over 5,000 of his priceless treasures like jewellery, statues, and the now-iconic golden death mask, which has since become one of the most prominent symbols of ancient Egypt.
The discovery of the tomb is notable for many reasons. It offered, for instance, unrivaled evidence regarding the burial practices of New Kingdom Pharaohs, establishing the pomp and ceremonialism surrounding royal funerary rites. The artifacts placed in it, such as chariots, weapons, and personal belongings, painted a vivid picture of ancient Egyptian life, wealth, and craft.
In addition, it contributed to the mystery surrounding the death of Tutankhamun. For ages, the young pharaoh's sudden death has been a topic of speculation, as have the contents of the tomb as well as the absence of an inscriptio.

One of the most incredible archeological finds in history was Tutankhamun's tomb in Luxor. The discoveries made there would have provided insights into the life and death of the boy king of ancient Egypt, one of the treasures including the golden death mask as well as exquisitely made artifacts from the same. They continue to enthrall the world and add to Egypt's glorious history. So much more could be witnessed if you coupled this experience with a Luxor day tour involving some of the most famous monuments, such as the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Temple of Hatshepsut.