Tutankhamun's Tomb Discovered

Setting the scene

By 1922, archaeologists believed the Valley of the Kings was exhausted—most royal tombs had been discovered and looted in antiquity. Howard Carter, an English artist turned archaeologist, had worked in Egypt since 1891 and believed one tomb remained: Tutankhamun, a minor 18th Dynasty pharaoh who ruled from age 9 to 19 (1332-1323 BCE) and was largely forgotten by history. Carter was funded by Lord Carnarvon, a wealthy British aristocrat. After years of fruitless digging, Carnarvon threatened to end funding in 1922. Carter begged for one final season.

What happened

On November 4, 1922, Carter's workers uncovered a step cut into the rock. By November 5, they had cleared 16 steps leading to a sealed doorway stamped with Tutankhamun's cartouche. Carter cabled Carnarvon: 'At last have made wonderful discovery in Valley; a magnificent tomb with seals intact.' On November 26, with Carnarvon present, Carter made a small hole in the doorway, inserted a candle, and peered in. Carnarvon asked, 'Can you see anything?' Carter famously replied, 'Yes, wonderful things.' The antechamber was filled with over 5,000 artifacts—golden chariots, thrones, beds, and statues—untouched for 3,245 years.

Why it still matters

The tomb's discovery was a global sensation, sparking Egyptomania that influenced Art Deco design, fashion, and architecture. The innermost coffin, made of 240 pounds of solid gold, and the iconic gold funerary mask became symbols of ancient Egypt. The excavation took 10 years to complete. The 'curse of the pharaohs' legend emerged after Carnarvon died of an infected mosquito bite in 1923, though most involved lived long lives. Tutankhamun's tomb remains the most intact royal burial ever found, providing unprecedented insight into New Kingdom funerary practices. It made Tutankhamun, an insignificant pharaoh historically, the most famous Egyptian of all time, with his artifacts drawing millions to Cairo's Egyptian Museum.

Background

The find sparked a global fascination with ancient Egypt.