Lecture Notes: Discovering Tut - The Saga Continues by A.R. Williams
Overview of King Tut
King Tut, also known as Tutankhamun or Tut, was a young Egyptian king who ascended the throne during his teenage years.
He was the last heir of a powerful Egyptian family that ruled the empire.
King Tut's death was mysterious and occurred at a young age.
Basic Details About King Tut
Nicknames: Tutankhamun, Tut, Tutankhaton.
Associated gods: Amun and Aten (reflected in his name).
Title: Pharaoh, which is the Egyptian word for kings.
Mystery Surrounding King Tut's Death
Ancient Egyptians believed in the afterlife, resulting in elaborate burial practices.
Kings were buried with riches (jewels, gold) for their journey in the afterlife.
King Tut's body was mummified to preserve it for the afterlife.
Mummy was discovered in the Valley of Kings, significant for the burial of many pharaohs.
Discoveries Post-Mummy Excavation
On January 5, 2005, CT scans were performed on King Tut’s mummy, revealing poor condition.
Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, stated the damage was due to Howard Carter's actions in the 1920s.
Howard Carter discovered King Tut’s tomb in 1922.
Findings on Mummy's Condition
Inside the first gold coffin, Carter found:
Olive leaves, lotus petals, cornflowers (suggests burial around March-April).
Other items: bronze razors, food items, wine, and linens.
Raisins were used as glue during the mummification process and hardened over time.
The mummy became stuck to the coffin due to this hardened glue.
Howard Carter's Difficult Decision
To separate the mummy from the gold coffin, Carter had to use chisels without causing further damage.
Challenges included preserving the mummy's integrity while retrieving valuable gold.
Subsequent Investigation
Forty years later, in 1968, an anatomy professor x-rayed King Tut's mummy, revealing missing breast bone and front ribs, possibly damaged during the 1920s extraction.
King Tut’s early death sparked much speculation and numerous unanswered questions regarding its cause.
King Tut's Ancestors
Amon Hotep III: King Tut’s father/grandfather; ruled powerfully for about four decades.
Amon Hotep IV: Introduced significant religious changes, faced backlash, moved the religious capital, and promoted Aten worship.
Significance of King Tut
King Tut is often referred to as the living image of Amun.
He restored traditional worship practices and was favored by the people during his reign.
Conclusion
King Tut’s story and discoveries continue to intrigue archaeologists and historians, providing insights into ancient Egyptian culture and beliefs.
The chapter concludes emphasizing the ongoing importance of King Tut's legacy in historical research.