Tutankhamun
Tutankhamun (sometimes called King Tut) was a Pharaoh (like a king) of Ancient Egypt from about 1334 BCE to 1323 BCE. He became Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty (royal family) during the New Kingdom at 9 years old. Tutankhamun ruled only 9 years and died very young, at 18, so he is known as The Boy King. He was married to his half-sister Ankhesenamun, daughter of Queen Nefertiti,his step mother.
Most scientists now think that Tutankhamun died because a mosquito bite on his cheek got infected. It was discovered in 2010 that Tutankhamun had the most serious form of malaria at his time of death.
The tomb was discovered in March 1922 by the famous British archaeologist Howard Carter.
This mask is 24 pounds of solid gold, inlaid lapis lazuli, carnelian, quartz, turquoise, obsidian, and colored glass. When the boy king's tomb was found in 1922 by Howard Carter, the king rested inside three coffins. Two were made of wood with gold overlay, the third was 296 pounds of solid gold. He was wearing the mask shown above. Tutankhamun only lived about 18 years. He assumed the throne at around the age of 7. For most of his reign he was little more than a figurehead of a government that began reestablishing the stability of the traditional art and religion torn down by his predecessor, Akhenaten. The amount of wealth that was showered on this boy in his short life is truly staggering. Imagine the riches that must have been bestowed on Egypt in more stable and prosperous days.
