Tutankhamun- the boy king

For anyone who has read my previous posts I am sure you have picked up on a trend. I have written quite a bit about ancient Egypt. This is because since I was little that area of history has always intrigued me. Something that I have recently become aware of is that starting on May 24th through January of next year, the National Geographic tutankhamun Treasure exhibit is going to be in Seattle. I personally have been waiting to see this particular exihibit for several years now. So therefore This time I chose to do a blog entry on him.

When Tutankhamun was actually born as Tutankhaten, but due to a declining support of the sun disk god aten,  he changed his name to that of the old god Amun. Tut's mother was the infamous Nefertiti, his father was the Heterical king Akhenaten.

He was married only once to his half sister, but unfourtunately that marriage did not produce any living children, only 2 stillborn daughters. Their tiny coffins were found in the tomb with the pharoah.


Although today Tutankhamun is one of the most well known pharoahs of all time, his reign was almost obliterated out of the history shortly after his death. His successor Hor
emheb replaced Tut's name with his own on many monuments.

Tut became king at the age of nine years old, and died at the age of 18. Because he ascended to the throne at such a young age it is very unlikely that he made very many decisions in regards to ruling egypt. These decisions would probably have been made by his top advisors. Due to this very sort life and unexpected death, he was buried hastily in his tomb 70 days after his death.

Although he may not have engaged in many military battles directly, he was trained as a archer. Tut's tomb was filled with some evidence of his hunts. His reign was a very turbulent time in Ancient Egyptian History. It was filled with religious strife against the Aten and towards the more traditional egyptian dieties.

On November 4th 1922, Archaeologist Howard Carter made what is arguably the single most important discovery in the Valley of the Kings at tomb KV62. Tutankhamun's tomb was full of beautiful artifacts that had not been touched in 3000 years.  Around 3000 treasures were found within the tomb including many items that would have been made in order to help the Pharoah in the afterlife. It is believed that many other tombs would have contained similar treasures but were probably sacked by grave robbers. His sarcophagus still remains inside the tomb even today.

There is a Curse that is associated with the tomb. On the incriptions that were found it, it states that anyone that disturbs the king's final resting place would suffer and die. This curse was populaized after several members of the team involved in the initial discovery died prematuraly.

For anybody who has been watching TLC lately, they are currently broadcasting some of the newer finds in the Valley of the Kings. Namely, a tomb approximately 45 meters away from Tut's tomb. There is a potential to find out more about Tutankhamun and the Ancient egyptian customs, beliefs and way of life.