Tutankhamen, served Egypt as pharaoh from about 1347
B.C. until about 1339 B.C. His name could be spelled other
ways like Tutankhamun or Tutankhamon. King Tutankhamen's
reign was unimportant. He became king at about age 9. He
most likely had help from his vizier Ay. Tutankhamen's
family is unknown. His original name was
Tutankhaton which means, "the living image of Aton" (Aton was
the sole god of Egypt) or "the life of Aton is pleasing."
About four years after becoming king, Tutankhaton took the
name Tutankhamen and restored Egypt's old religion.
Historians think that Tutankhamen died at about age 18, but
the cause of his death is unknown.
King Tut's Tomb
Howard Carter searched for Tut's tomb for almost 10
years. He finally found the entrance to Tut's tomb which had been
blocked by debris from diggings at a nearby entrance to the
tomb of Ramses VI. Tut had a four room tomb containing about
5,000 items. Many of the items found were carved and gilted
(covered with gold). There was a very lifelike mask of the
king, it was made of gold, and covered the head and
shoulders of the mummy.
There were many items discovered including luxurious
chests, thrones, and earrings. Howard also found chariots,
bows and arrows, swords, daggers, shields, ostrich feather
fans, trumpets, statues of Tutankhamen and other Egyptian
gods, figures of animals, models of ships, toys, games, and
jars containing precious oils.
There were so many items because ancient Egyptians
believed that there was a life after death called the
afterlife. Mummies were buried with favorite things they had
and practical objects so they could carry the items off to
the afterlife.
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