KING TUT'S GOLDEN SARCOPHAGUS DISCOVERED 90 YEARS AGO TODAY IN EGYPT
Luxon, Egypt (JFK+50) On January 3, 1924, 90 years ago today, the solid gold sarcophagus of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamen was discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter.
Mr. Carter and his team had first entered the 4 room tomb, located in the "Valley of the Kings," in November 1922.
The team of archaeologists found the tomb of "King Tut" to be virtually intact and it has been described as "the most complete ancient Egyptian tomb ever found."
The gold sarcophagus was found after the opening of a stone sarcophagus which held 3 coffins inside, including the gold one.
When Carter opened the last sarcophagus, he gazed upon the mummified remains of Tutankhamen which had been sealed for 3000 years.
The cause of death of the Egyptian Pharaoh, who was approximately 5' 11" tall, is uncertain. Studies, however, have indicated possible causes including genetic defects , malaria, and temporal lobe epilepsy resulting from a broken leg.
King Tut, who was 9 years old when he came to the throne, died at the age of 19.
Tutankhamen, known as the "Boy King" because most of his reign (1332-1323 B.C.) was during his teenage years, ruled during a period of economic difficulty.
The major issues in Egypt during this time were the reestablishment of the traditional Egyptian religion, relocation of the capital to Memphis and the restoration of Thebes as the religious center of the nation.
SOURCES
www.history.com
www.en.wikipedia.org
Luxon, Egypt (JFK+50) On January 3, 1924, 90 years ago today, the solid gold sarcophagus of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamen was discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter.
Mr. Carter and his team had first entered the 4 room tomb, located in the "Valley of the Kings," in November 1922.
The team of archaeologists found the tomb of "King Tut" to be virtually intact and it has been described as "the most complete ancient Egyptian tomb ever found."
Tomb of Tutankhamen
Photo by Hajor (2002)
The gold sarcophagus was found after the opening of a stone sarcophagus which held 3 coffins inside, including the gold one.
When Carter opened the last sarcophagus, he gazed upon the mummified remains of Tutankhamen which had been sealed for 3000 years.
The cause of death of the Egyptian Pharaoh, who was approximately 5' 11" tall, is uncertain. Studies, however, have indicated possible causes including genetic defects , malaria, and temporal lobe epilepsy resulting from a broken leg.
King Tut, who was 9 years old when he came to the throne, died at the age of 19.
Tutankhamen, known as the "Boy King" because most of his reign (1332-1323 B.C.) was during his teenage years, ruled during a period of economic difficulty.
The major issues in Egypt during this time were the reestablishment of the traditional Egyptian religion, relocation of the capital to Memphis and the restoration of Thebes as the religious center of the nation.
SOURCES
www.history.com
www.en.wikipedia.org
