Tutankhamun breakthrough as experts discover truth behind iconic mask | History | News

Despite being arguably the most famous and recognizable figure of ancient Egypt, surprisingly little is known about the young pharaoh Tutankhamun, who reigned for less than a decade and died in his teens. Tutankhamun ascended to the throne around 1332 BC, when he was eight or nine years old, and revived the traditional Egyptian polytheistic religion for which Ancient Egypt was best known. However, when he turned 18, he was dead and buried.

Research on his body suggested that he may have suffered from some ailments due to consanguineous marriage. A DNA test identified several members of Tutankhamun’s immediate family, but revealed that his parents were full siblings; this was a common move at the time to ensure a pure royal lineage. His untouched tomb was first discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922; inside were more than 5,000 artifacts, including the golden mask that became one of Ancient Egypt’s most defining symbols. This iconic blue and gold mask was found in Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus, so it has been assumed it was made for him since its discovery. But some experts have come to believe that this is not actually the case.

A research team from the University of York thinks that the mask should never have belonged to him, but was actually designed for someone else. This is because there were suitable slots for earrings in the burial mask.

Professor Joann Fletcher told the History Hit documentary: “Research shows that the King would not have worn earrings after childhood.” This means that the earrings were not included in the death mask when he died.

Studies of the gold in the mask also showed that a different type of precious metal was used on the face compared to the rest of the mask, as if the face was quickly rebuilt to prepare for the new wearer. This has led experts to believe that while the face we see today should belong to Tutankhamun, it was never the face on the original mask.

Instead, experts believe the death mask was actually made for his stepmother, Queen Nefertiti, but was given to her because much of her funeral was hastily planned.

There are many indications that preparations for Tutankhamun’s funeral were not made at the time of his death. This includes the tomb, which was considered too small for a pharaoh. One of the reasons why Tutankhamun’s tomb went undiscovered for so long was because it was so secluded. Although located in the Valley of the Kings, the standard burial site for New Kingdom pharaohs, it lies on the valley floor and is much less elaborate than other royal tombs, probably due to his early death.

Along with the funerary mask, several walking sticks were also found in Tutankhamun’s tomb, supporting the theory that the Child King was in very poor health. Computed tomography scans and further analysis of his remains revealed that he had clubfoot, cleft palate, and necrosis of his left foot. DNA testing also revealed that he had contracted malaria multiple times; this, combined with his other ailments, may have contributed to his early death.