Monday, 13 May 2013

KING TUT'S TREASURES - 91 YEARS ON

91 years ago, Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the Egyptian boy King Tutankhamun, leading to a media furore and public fascination that even now, nearly 100 years later, hasn't died down. The mystery and legend surrounding the ancients is something that just captivates the imagination, especially with the sheer amount of treasure and jewels that were found alongside the mummy! King Tut's life certainly appears to have been a lavish one, and the riches found in the tomb have taken their rightful place in the history books accordingly, not only because of their origins but due to their sheer value and being his prized possessions.

Treasures of the Tomb
Over 3,000 separate objects were found in the tomb, and have since been analysed by experts as to their value and place in Tut's life. Amongst these were:

  • King Tut's Burial Mask
  •  Inlaid throne
  •  Golden beds
  • Golden chariots
  • Jewellery, including funereal pieces
Burial Mask
Perhaps one of the most famous pieces to be discovered is the burial mask placed on the mummy before interment in the gilded shrines. Made of 24 pounds of solid gold, the mask is construced to a living likeness of the boy king's face and is inlaid with precious gems, including obsidian, quartz and lapis lazuli.
The monetary value of the mask will never be truly known, as it's very unlikely it'll ever be sold.
Inlaid Throne
Made of wood and partly gold-plated, King Tut's throne is inlaid with ebony, semi-precious stones, coloured glass and ivory and fitted to a stool with crossed legs. These are to represent the heads and necks of ducks.
Golden Beds
There was more than one golden bed found in the tomb, and historians think that these were more than likely present to lay the body on in the embalming process. Made of gold leaf, these have slightly curved frames with a woven mesh forming the mattress area, and with legs shaped like those of a lion.
Golden Chariots
There were more than 4 chariots in the tomb, of which it is widely speculated that 2 were for parades, one for war and one for hunting. These have been split up since the original discovery, to different museums and exhibitions around the world. Not all of them were ornate; there was one plain one that is the one experts think was probably used for everyday activities such as exercising.
Jewellery and Funereal Pieces
There were various pieces of precious jewellery in the tomb and also found within the mummy's wrappings, laid there by caring hands many, many years before. These included necklaces, gems, brooches and rings, as well as statues made of ebony and gold, and funereal items including beautiful bowls, plates and floral tributes.

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