Image Gallery
Head of Tutankhamun
The Head of Tutankhamun was once part of a larger limestone statue depicting Tutankhamun (r. c. 1336 to c. 1327 BCE) and the god Amun, fashioned during Tutankhamun’s reign, 18th Dynasty, New Kingdom of Egypt.
This statue is significant because it shows that Tutankhamun restored Egypt’s old religion after Tutankhamun's father, Akhenaten had abolished the polytheistic Egyptian religion in favor of the monotheistic worship of the Aten during the Amarna Period. This change caused an uproar in Egypt and the massive religious and social fallout was felt throughout the remainder of the 18th Dynasty.
The hand that can be seen on the back of Tutankhamun's head is the hand of the god Amun. Since Amun (the King of the Gods) is touching Tutankhamun's crown, it can be interpreted that Amun approved of Tutankhamun’s reign. Tutankhamun is wearing the blue khepresh crown which is associated with coronation, the right to rule, and victory.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Questions & Answers
When did Tutankhamun rule Egypt?
- 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".
