24. The Twentieth Century’s Greatest Archaeological Find
Tutankhamun, who reigned circa 1333 to 1323 BC, is Ancient Egypt’s best-known pharaoh, and the discovery of his tomb in 1922 was a major archaeological event. Relics from his tomb are among the most traveled artifacts in the world, and a 1970s exhibition, known as the Treasures of Tutankhamun Tour, was viewed by millions around the world. Many of them had waited in line for hours. That he became so famous thousands of years after his death is ironic: Ancient Egyptians saw Tutankhamun – to the extent, they even remembered that he had existed – as one of their least significant or memorable rulers.
The discovery of his tomb occurred in 1922. After a search that had lasted for over a decade, Egyptologist Howard Carter found it in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. He sent a telegram to the chief financier of his archaeological expeditions, George Herbert, 5th Lord of Carnarvon, that urged him to hurry to Egypt to be at hand in person when the tomb was opened. After his patron arrived later that month, Howard Carter proceeded to carefully excavate the site, and on November 29th, 1922, the tomb was opened. What was found inside revolutionized Egyptology?