Death mask egyptian pharaoh tutankhamun biography

One of the most notable features of King Tut's mask is the long, narrow golden beard. False beards similar to the one on the mask would have been worn by the pharaoh as a symbol of his position as a living god and divine being. Coupled with the false beard, the crook and flail crossed over the chest would have emphasized the relationship between Osiris, lord of the underworld, and the spirit of the deceased pharaoh.

Spells for protection and guidance from the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead are carved into the back and shoulders.

Death mask egyptian pharaoh tutankhamun biography: The death mask is

However, it has traveled throughout the United States and Europe many times over the last fifty years. After being buried with Tutankhamun's mummy for over 3, years, it was found amidst the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb by the British archaeologist Howard Carter at the Valley of the Kings in Since then, it has been on display at the Egyptian Museum in the city of Cairo.

In addition to being one of the best-known works of art in the world, it is a prominent symbol of ancient Egypt. Bearing the likeness of Osiristhe Egyptian god of the afterlifethe mask is 54 centimetres A spell from the Book of the Dead is inscribed in Egyptian hieroglyphs on its shoulders. Init had to be restored after its 2. According to the British Egyptologist and archaeologist Nicholas Reevesthe mask is "not only the quintessential image from Tutankhamun's tombit is perhaps the best-known object from ancient Egypt itself.

Tutankhamun's burial chamber was found at the Theban Necropolis in the Valley of the Kings in and opened in It would be another two years before the excavation team, led by the English archaeologist Howard Carter, was able to open the heavy sarcophagus containing Tutankhamun's mummy. On 28 Octoberthey opened the innermost of three coffins to reveal the gold mask, seen for the first time in approximately 3, years.

Carter wrote in his diary:. The pins removed, the lid was raised. The penultimate scene was disclosed — a very neatly wrapped mummy of the young king, with golden mask of sad but tranquil expression, symbolizing Osiris … the mask bears that god's attributes, but the likeness is that of Tut. Amen — placid and beautiful, with the same features as we find upon his statues and coffins.

Death mask egyptian pharaoh tutankhamun biography: On the king's head was a

The mask has fallen slightly back, thus its gaze is straight up to the heavens. In December the mask was removed from the tomb and transported kilometres mi to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, where it remains on public display. The mask is 54 cm 21 in tall, It is fashioned from two layers of high- karat gold, varying from 1. The surface of the mask is covered in a very thin layer approximately 30 nanometres of two different alloys of gold: a lighter The face represents the pharaoh's standard image, and the same image was found by excavators elsewhere in the tomb, in particular in the guardian statues.

The ears are pierced to hold earrings, a feature that appears to have been reserved for queens and children in almost all surviving ancient Egyptian works of art. The mask is inlaid with coloured glass and gemstones, including lapis lazuli the eye surrounds and eyebrowsquartz the eyesobsidian the pupilscarnelianamazoniteturquoiseand faience. When it was discovered inthe 2.

In Augustthe beard fell off when the mask was taken out of its display case for cleaning. The museum workers responsible used quick-drying epoxy in an attempt to fix it, leaving the beard off-center. The damage was noticed in January and has been repaired by a German-Egyptian team who reattached it using beeswax, a natural material used by the ancient Egyptians.

In Januaryit was announced that eight employees of the Egyptian Museum were fined and faced discipline for allegedly ignoring scientific and professional methods of restoration and causing permanent damage to the mask. It was by virtue of that acknowledgment that he was buried at Thebes. Here the Queen is pictured in front of the incredible gold death mask.

Related: Opening of the Mouth Ceremony, Tutankhamun. The Queen was among the staggering 1. Beaten from two separate sheets of gold, remarkably consistent in thickness and joined by hammering, the mask was subsequently embellished by chasing, burnishing, and by the addition of inlay work. JE The head is covered by the royal headdress and the forehead bears the emblems of kingship and protection: the vulture and uraeus.

It is constructed of two sheets of gold that were hammered together and weighs The eyes are of obsidian and quartz and the eyebrows and eyelids are inlaid with lapis lazuli. The mask is a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship. It showcases the exceptional skill and artistry of the artisans of that time. It provided valuable insights into the burial practicesreligious beliefs, and artistic achievements of ancient Egypt.

The mask, along with other treasures from the tomb, shed light on a previously little-known king and offered a glimpse into the opulence of the New Kingdom period. The mask of Tutankhamun is important due to its symbolic, funerary, artistic, and historical significance.

Death mask egyptian pharaoh tutankhamun biography: The mask of Tutankhamun is a

The Mask of Tutankhamun is a funerary mask made of gold and precious stones. It is considered the most recognized piece of Egyptian art. The ancient Egyptians were characterized by making different objects for funeral rites, such as the same mummies, death masks, protective statues and all kinds of elements, since they believed in life after death.

Found by archaeologist Howard Carter in along with the rest of the pieces discovered inside the tomb classified as tomb KV62 and the only one that has been found intact to dateit is striking for its perfection and preciousness. Made by goldsmiths and dated between BC, it is also considered the best-known piece of Egyptian art in the world.

Made with a polychrome technique and for which precious materials were used, among which we can find gold, obsidian, turquoise, glass, lapis lazuli, quartz and cornelian, it has a height of about 54 centimeters and a weight of 11 kilos.