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Tutankhamun is easily the most famous Egyptian ruler in the world thanks to his nearly intact tomb discovered by Howard Carter in 1922 and the "mummy's curse" associated with the opening of that tomb. Although Tutankhamun was initially thought to have been a minor ruler, that opinion has changed, and he is now regarded in a more favorable light.
Tutankhamun (r. c. 1336 to c. 1327 BCE) was the son of Amenhotep IV (better known as Akhenaten) of the 18th Dynasty and his wife Nefertiti. He came to the throne at a young age and died soon after. His father had changed the religious paradigm of polytheism to a monotheistic worship of the god Aten, and the young prince was originally known as Tutankhaten ("living image of Aten") before he changed his name to Tutankhamun ("living image of Amun") when he discarded his father's new religion and returned Egypt to a worship of the old gods, including the popular Amun.
When the general Horemheb (r. 1320-1292 BCE) came to the throne, he tried to erase all evidence of Akhenaten and his family including, of course, Tutankhamun, claiming for himself the role of champion of the old gods and restorer of tradition. Tutankhamun's tomb was accidentally buried later by the workers building the tomb of Ramesses VI (r. 1145-1137 BCE) and was forgotten until its discovery by Carter.
The famous "mummy's curse" or "Curse of Tutankhamun" that became worldwide headlines in 1923 after the "mysterious" death of Carter's patron, Lord Carnarvon, was based on a misinterpretation of an inscription found in the tomb which was reported as reading "I will kill all of those who cross this threshold into the sacred precincts of the royal king who lives forever" but which actually read "I am the one who prevents the sand from blocking the secret chamber" – the "I" being the door. Howard Carter was aware the "curse" was fiction but never challenged it because it kept people away from the tomb, and he could work in peace without constant interruptions. The "curse" also scared people who had either smuggled artifacts out of Egypt illegally or purchased them on the black market into returning them or donating them to museums. There was nothing mysterious about the death of Carnarvon or anyone else associated with opening the tomb. Carter lived until 1939, and Carnarvon's daughter, who was present when the tomb was opened, lived until 1980.
This gallery presents some of the artifacts found in Tutankhamun's tomb as well as images of his parents, the famous image of the young king and his wife Ankhsenamun, and, of course, one of the best-known images associated with ancient Egypt: the golden death mask of Tutankhamun.
Small, painted votive statue depicting the PharaohAkhenaten and his Great Wife Nefertiti holding hands, a notedly unusual pose in the art of the New Kingdom, c. 1345 BCE.
The king wears the blue kheperesh crown, and the queen sports the flat-topped blue crown that has become associated with her image. In keeping with the typical Amarna Period artistic conventions, both Akhenaten and Nefertiti are depicted with slightly distorted features and proportions, and both male and female figures display a similar body type.
Tutankhamun ruled Egypt between c. 1336 and c. 1327 BCE.
What did Tutankhamun do during his reign?
Tutankhamun began the process of dismantling his father's monotheistic belief system and returning Egypt to the polytheistic practices of the past. He died before he could finish this work, and it was accomplished by Horemheb, who then erased Tutankhamun's name and claimed the credit for himself.
Why is Tutankhamun so famous?
Tutankhamun is famous because of the discovery of his nearly intact tomb in 1922, which was world news, and because of the "curse of the mummy" that became popularized in 1923 and was associated with the opening of the tomb.
Is there any basis in fact for the "curse of Tutankhamun"?
No. The "curse of Tutankhamun" was based on a misinterpretation of an inscription found in the tomb and then the death of Howard Carter's patron, Lord Carnarvon in 1923. Carter knew there was no curse but allowed the story to circulate because it scared people away from the tomb so he could work in peace and also caused those who had illegally taken or purchased ancient Egyptian artifacts to return them, hoping to distance themselves from the "curse".
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