Tomb of Tutankhamun

The Tomb of Tutankhamun is the only largely intact royal tomb belonging to Pharaoh Tutankhamun of the Eighteenth Dynasty of the New Kingdom of Egypt (circa 1336–1327 BCE), located in the Valley of the Kings. Discovered in 1922 by archaeologist Howard Carter, the tomb is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological finds ever made, due to the vast number of gold artifacts and luxury objects it contained.^【1】

The approximately 5,000 objects found within the tomb consist of items reflecting Tutankhamun’s daily life, religious beliefs, and rituals associated with the afterlife. In size, it is small and modest compared to other royal tombs.

Tutankhamun’s Sarcophagus (Library of Congress)

Tutankhamun’s Life and Death

Tutankhamun ruled Egypt during the New Kingdom’s Eighteenth Dynasty, approximately 1336–1327 BCE. He ascended the throne at the age of eight or nine and reigned for a brief period of about ten years. Tutankhamun, likely the son of the previous pharaoh Akhenaten, abandoned Akhenaten’s monotheistic worship of the Aten and restored the traditional cult of the god Amun, relocating the religious center back to Thebes.

Tutankhamun married his half-sister Ankhesenamun but had no children, leaving the succession uncertain. He died suddenly at around the age of eighteen. The exact cause of death remains unknown, though various theories have been proposed, including a chariot accident, a blow to the head, or a hippopotamus attack.

After Tutankhamun’s death, his vizier Ay married Ankhesenamun and assumed the throne. Although Tutankhamun’s reign was short and his political influence limited, the discovery of his tomb has made him one of the most famous pharaohs in history. The nearly intact tomb has provided invaluable insights into the religious, artistic, and daily life of ancient Egypt.

Tutankhamun’s Golden Mask (flickr)

The Discovery Process and Excavation Team

The tomb of Tutankhamun was discovered in November 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter in the Valley of the Kings. This discovery generated immense interest in the history of modern archaeology. Carter conducted the excavations on behalf of the fifth Earl of Carnarvon. Upon reaching the steps leading to the tomb’s entrance, Carter sent a telegram to Carnarvon in England proposing they open the tomb together. On 26 November 1922, they opened the entrance, and Carter described his first glimpse of the antechamber as follows:

“At first I could see nothing, the hot air from the chamber made the candle flame flicker, but as my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details slowly emerged: strange animals, statues, and gold—everywhere the glint of gold.”^【2】

The tomb’s size and complex contents required expert support. Carter therefore requested assistance from A. M. Lythgoe, Curator of the Egyptian Department at the Metropolitan Museum. Lythgoe offered not only the services of photographer Harry Burton but also additional personnel from the museum’s team. Thanks to this collaboration, four members of the Metropolitan Museum’s Egyptian Expedition joined the excavation work.

Harry Burton played a crucial role in documenting the tomb. Every object was photographed under electric light before being touched, and these images were published worldwide. An unfinished tomb previously used to store artifacts belonging to the Amarna royal family was repurposed as a darkroom for developing photographs.

Lindsley F. Hall and Walter Hauser created the tomb’s plan, drawing each object to scale in its original position. The disorganized and piled-up arrangement of the objects complicated the documentation process.

Arthur C. Mace continued his work in a laboratory established in the tomb of Seti II at the end of the valley. Mace collaborated with Lucas, Director of the Egyptian Government Chemical Laboratories, receiving, cataloging, and carrying out necessary repairs and restorations on the objects.

The excavation team believed that some of the tomb’s contents had been disturbed by ancient tomb robbers and hastily repacked by necropolis officials into random boxes. This explains why items such as staffs were found alongside underwear, and jewelry alongside pottery in the same containers.

Objects Removed from Tutankhamun’s Tomb (Library of Congress)

The tomb’s nearly intact state provides a documentary record of royal burial rituals. During the first season, the team was able to clear only the antechamber; subsequent work revealed even more valuable objects in the other chambers.

Architectural Structure and Location

The tomb of Tutankhamun was carved into the rock of the Valley of the Kings, the burial ground for pharaohs of the New Kingdom. When discovered by Howard Carter, the tomb had remained sealed for approximately 3,200 years; however, it was found to have been breached twice in antiquity.^【3】

Tutankhamun’s tomb is considerably smaller than other royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings. It consists of four small chambers, with only the burial chamber having been painted. Its architectural simplicity and limited decoration suggest it may have originally been intended for someone else. Due to Tutankhamun’s sudden death, it was likely hastily adapted from an existing structure to serve as his tomb.

Located in the eastern sector of the Valley of the Kings, the tomb stands in structural contrast to the larger tombs around it. Despite its modest scale, the richness of its contents and its structural integrity have made it one of the most notable examples of ancient Egyptian tomb architecture.

Decoration and Wall Paintings

The decoration within the tomb is relatively limited compared to other royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Only the walls of the burial chamber are adorned. The tomb contains only one scene from the Amduat, while other depictions show the pharaoh’s funeral rites or scenes of him making offerings to various deities.

Despite its small size, the approximately 5,000 objects placed inside the tomb filled the space densely. These items reflect both daily life and religious rituals.

Throne Removed from the Tomb (flickr)

On the western wall of the burial chamber, twelve baboon figures represent the twelve hours of the night that the pharaoh must pass through after death, symbolizing the stages of his journey through the underworld. On the eastern wall, high-ranking Egyptian officials are depicted carrying Tutankhamun’s mummy into the tomb.

The Twelve Baboon Figures (flickr)

Analysis has shown that pigment flaking occurred shortly after painting, not after the tomb’s discovery; some areas were painted without a clay plaster base; and drawing techniques varied between artists. Some figures were sketched in red pigment, while others were incised into the plaster. Additionally, different grid systems used by the artists have been observed.

Several artistic imperfections are also notable. Slight tilts in the figures, unobscured chisel marks on the wall surface, and even missing layers in certain areas indicate that the tomb’s preparation was rushed.

Current Preservation Status and Threats

Since its discovery, Tutankhamun’s tomb has welcomed countless visitors, but these visits have gradually begun to threaten its structural integrity and interior decoration. Especially from the 1990s onward, the risks facing the tomb became more apparent and were documented in reports by archaeologists and conservation specialists.

Professor Sayed Hemeda of Cairo University, in his assessment of the tomb’s current condition, noted that the structure faces both present and future risks and warned that it may not survive in the long term. Particularly large cracks in the entrance and main chamber constitute a serious structural threat. These cracks resulted from floodwaters, carrying stone, soil, and debris into the tomb during heavy rains; increased humidity led to fungal growth on the interior walls. A major flood in 1994 accelerated this process.

The rock type used in the tomb’s construction, Esna limestone, is sensitive to moisture and expands and contracts with changes in humidity. This causes the cracks to widen and increases the risk of deformation and collapse. The ceiling’s load-bearing capacity has been pushed to its limits due to excessive pressure, further threatening the tomb’s structural integrity.

Tutankhamun’s Unmasked Mummy (AA)

Conservation efforts continue to prevent further structural weakening and preserve the artistic integrity of the tomb. However, experts state that the measures taken so far have been insufficient and that the tomb may not endure as it has for thousands of years.