DISCOVERING TUT- THE SAGA CONTINUES

A.R. WILLIAMS
NEW WORDS

1. Laden:

• Synonym: Loaded, burdened, filled.

• Antonym: Empty, unladen.

• Sentence: The explorer's backpack was laden with supplies for the arduous journey.

2. Devils (in the context of "dust devils"):

• Synonym: Whirlwinds, tornadoes.

• Antonym: Calm, stillness.

• Sentence: The desert wind stirred up ghostly dust devils, swirling and dancing across the
arid landscape.

3. Casket:

• Synonym: Coffin, sarcophagus.

• Antonym: Urn, ashes.

• Sentence: The mummy was carefully placed inside the ornate casket adorned with
hieroglyphics.

4. Scudded:

• Synonym: Skimmed, darted, raced.

• Antonym: Crawled, crept.

• Sentence: Dark-bellied clouds scudded across the desert sky, casting shadows over the
ancient burial ground.

5. Crumpled:

• Synonym: Wrinkled, crushed.

• Antonym: Smoothed, flattened.

• Sentence: The ancient papyrus, discovered in Tut's tomb, was crumpled but still legible.

6. Untarnished:

• Synonym: Unblemished, pristine.

• Antonym: Tarnished, stained.

 • Sentence: The gold artifacts in Tut's tomb remained untarnished, their brilliance
undiminished by the passage of centuries.

7. Intertwining:

• Synonym: Interweaving, entwining.

• Antonym: Separating, disentangling.

• Sentence: The vines in the Valley of the Kings seemed to be intertwining, creating a
natural tapestry.

8. Circumvented:

• Synonym: Bypassed, avoided.

• Antonym: Confronted, faced.

• Sentence: Carter had to cut the mummy free to circumvent the threat of theft by tomb
robbers.

9. Intricate:

• Synonym: Complex, elaborate.

• Antonym: Simple, straightforward.

• Sentence: The intricate carvings on the tomb walls told the story of Tutankhamun's
reign.

10. Regally:

• Synonym: Majestically, royally.

• Antonym: Humble, modestly.

• Sentence: Even in death, King Tut lay regally in his coffin, surrounded by the treasures of
his earthly kingdom.

KEY EVENTS

(Not to be written in the notebook, only for simplified understanding of the text)

1. Discovery of Tut's Tomb (1922):

• Howard Carter, a British archaeologist, discovers the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922 in

the Valley of the Kings, Egypt.

2. Tut's Burial and Possessions:

• Tutankhamun, the last heir of a powerful Egyptian family, is buried with lavish
possessions, including gold artifacts and everyday items, intended for the afterlife.
 3. State of Tut's Mummy (1920s):

• Tut's mummy is found in poor condition due to the hardening of ritual resins, making it
challenging for Carter to separate the mummy from its solid gold coffin.

4. Early Archaeological Practices (1920s):

• Howard Carter resorts to extreme measures, including exposing Tut's mummy to the
sun, to loosen hardened resins and preserve the gold from potential thieves.

5. Modern CT Scan (2005):

• In 2005, Tutankhamun's mummy undergoes a CT scan for the first time in almost 80
years, providing new insights into his life and death.

6. Tourists and Speculation (2005):

• Tourists visit Tut's tomb, speculating on the mysteries surrounding his life, death, and
the infamous "pharaoh's curse."

7. Zahi Hawass's Examination (2005):

• Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, examines

Tut's mummy and notes its poor condition due to actions taken by Carter in the 1920s.

8. CT Scan Results (2005):

• The CT scan reveals detailed images of Tut's mummy, allowing specialists to investigate
the mysteries of his death and provide accurate forensic reconstructions.

9. Historical Context (Amenhotep III to Tutankhamun):

• The text provides historical context, covering the reigns of Amenhotep III, Akhenaten,
Smenkhkare, and finally Tutankhamun, highlighting the upheavals and changes in
ancient Egypt during this period.

10. Night of the CT Scan (2005):

• During the CT scan process, technical issues arise with the scanner due to sand, leading
to a momentary delay, but eventually, the procedure is completed successfully.

These key events provide an overview of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, the challenges faced in
preserving and studying his mummy, and the modern efforts to unravel the mysteries surrounding his life
and death.

QUESTION ANSWERS

(Any three to be written in the notebook)

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS

GIVE REASONS OF THE FOLLOWING

(i) King Tut’s body has been subjected to repeated scrutiny:

Tutankhamun's body has been repeatedly scrutinized to uncover more details about his life, death, and
the circumstances surrounding his burial. The repeated examinations, including the recent CT scan in
2005, aim to gather precise data for forensic reconstruction and to solve lingering mysteries about the
young pharaoh.

(ii) Howard Carter’s investigation was resented:

Carter's investigation was resented because of his methods, especially the controversial decision to sever
Tutankhamun's mummy into pieces. The removal of the mummy's head and the severing of major joints
were necessary to protect the valuable gold artifacts from theft during the tomb's discovery in 1922.

(iii) Carter had to chisel away the solidified resins to raise the king’s remains:

The ritual resins used in Tutankhamun's burial had solidified over time, making it impossible to lift the
king's remains from the solid gold coffin without intervention. Carter had to chisel away the hardened
resins to separate Tut's mummy from the bottom of the coffin, preserving the gold and protecting it from
potential thieves.

(iv) Tut’s body was buried along with gilded treasures:

In ancient Egyptian belief, the deceased pharaohs were buried with treasures and possessions they
would need in the afterlife. Tutankhamun's body was buried with gilded treasures, including precious
collars, jewelry, ceremonial items, and even everyday objects, reflecting the belief in an opulent afterlife.

(v) The boy king changed his name from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun:

Tutankhamun changed his name to reflect a shift in religious and political beliefs. Originally named
Tutankhaten, meaning "Living Image of the Aten," he changed it to Tutankhamun, "Living Image of
Amun," as part of a restoration of the old religious traditions, moving away from the Aten worship
initiated by his predecessor Akhenaten.

2. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

(i) List the deeds that led Ray Johnson to describe Akhenaten as “wacky”:

Ray Johnson described Akhenaten as "wacky" due to his radical religious reforms, including the
promotion of Aten worship, the move of the religious capital to Amarna, the attack on the god Amun,
and the smashing of religious images. These unconventional actions marked a significant departure from
traditional Egyptian religious practices.

(ii) What were the results of the CT scan?

The CT scan revealed detailed images of Tutankhamun's mummy, providing information about his
physical condition, the state of his bones, and insights into the possible causes of his death. The scan also
offered precise data for forensic reconstruction.

(iii) List the advances in technology that have improved forensic analysis:

Advances in technology include computed tomography (CT) scans, X-rays, portable CT machines, and
sophisticated imaging techniques. These technologies allow for non-invasive examination of mummies,
providing detailed insights into their anatomy, health, and potential causes of death.
(iv) Explain the statement, “King Tut is one of the first mummies to be scanned — in death, as in
life...":

The statement emphasizes that Tutankhamun's mummy is among the first mummies to undergo
scanning, both in life (historical records, inscriptions) and in death (modern CT scans). The use of
advanced technology allows researchers to study the pharaoh's remains without physically disturbing
the mummy, contributing to a more thorough understanding of his life and death.

EXTRA QUESTIONS

(ANY 1 TO BE DONE IN THE NOTEBOOK)

1. Describe the changes in archaeology and the focus of research since the discovery of King Tut's
tomb in 1922.

A: Archaeology is the study of human history through the excavation (digging) of sites and the
analysis of things found there. Since the discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922, there have been
significant changes in the field of archaeology.

1. Shift from Treasure Hunting to Scientific Exploration: Before the discovery of King Tut's tomb,
many archaeological expeditions were motivated by the quest for valuable artefacts and
treasures. But now, archaeologists place more emphasis on the exploration of the history and
culture of that era.

2. Greater Attention to Everyday Life: King Tut's tomb contained not only opulent treasures but
also everyday items that he would need in the afterlife, such as board games, linen
undergarments, and food. This discovery highlighted the

3. Advanced Technology and Non-Invasive Techniques: The use of modern technology, such as CT
scans, allows for more accurate and detailed insights into historical figures, their health, and the
circumstances of their lives and deaths.

4. Focus on Culture: Greater attention is given to studying the daily lives, culture and practices of
ancient people, rather than just the royals and their elite aspects.

Thus, there has been a significant shift in our approach to using archaeology for understanding the
past.

2. Elaborate on the political shifts that occurred during the transitions from Amenhotep III to
Akhenaten and Tutankhamun.

Pharaohs were the rulers of ancient Egypt who were considered to be the link between God and
the people. Tutankhamun was the last heir of his dynasty. The rulers preceding him were as
follows.

Amenhotep III:

• Prosperous Reign: Amenhotep III ruled during a prosperous period, known as a "Golden Age."
 • Cultural Achievements: The reign was marked by cultural achievements, including monumental
art and architecture, such as the Temple of Luxor and the Colossi of Memnon.

Akhenaten:

• Religious Revolution: Akhenaten, also known as Amenhotep IV, initiated a radical religious
transformation, moving away from traditional polytheism to worship Aten, the sun disk.

• Capital Relocation: He moved the capital from Thebes to Amarna, reflecting a significant shift in
religious and political practices.

• Artistic Change: Art during Akhenaten's reign underwent a distinctive change, becoming more
naturalistic and informal.

Smenkhkare:

• Mysterious Reign: Smenkhkare's reign is relatively brief and mysterious, with unclear
relationships to Akhenaten and Tutankhamun.

Tutankhamun:

• Restoration of Traditional Religion: Tutankhamun, initially Tutankhaten, reversed the religious

reforms of Akhenaten, restoring the worship of traditional gods, especially Amun.

• Young Pharaoh: Tutankhamun ascended the throne at a young age, with advisers like Ay and
Horemheb playing significant roles in governance.

• Death and Burial: Tutankhamun's death, at a young age, is mysterious. His tomb, discovered in
1922, contained a remarkable collection of well-preserved artifacts.

Historical Context:

• End of the 18th Dynasty: Tutankhamun was the last pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty, marking the
end of a significant period in Egyptian history.

• Political Shifts: The transitions from Amenhotep III to Akhenaten and Tutankhamun were
marked by shifts in religious practices and potential political unrest.

The time from Amenhotep III to Tutankhamun reveals a rich history of luxury, religious changes, and
artistic excellence.