What Happened On February 16th?

In the Valley of the Kings, shadows from the Pyramids swept over the sand-swept dunes on February 16th, 1923. Little did we know, one of the greatest discoveries of all time was close to happening. After years of relentless searching, British archaeologist Howard Carter stood poised at the undisturbed tomb of the first ever child Pharaoh, Tutankhamun.

Officials, journalists, and Carter’s team watched as he carefully chipped away at the final seal. For over 3,000 years, the chamber had been untouched by human hands, guarding the secrets of a forgotten king. Finally after all this time, Carter peered through the opening, uttering the now-legendary words, “I see wonderful things.”

Compared to influential rulers such as Charlemagne in 800 AD, Tutankhamun was a relatively unknown pharaoh. But now, he suddenly became a global sensation. With new treasures revealed -(golden statues, glittering jewelry, exquisite furniture, and an abundance of everyday objects), millions around the world had to know every detail.

But it wasn’t just the riches that captured the attention. Buried in a golden sarcophagus with his two still-born daughters, there was a lot to be learned about Ancient Egypt in general. Scientists and archaeologists determined that Tutankhamun was inbred, as physical examinations showed that he had clubfoot and over 130 walking sticks buried with him. Further research showed that the royal families practiced incest to preserve “royal purity,” and this is where these genetic complications may have come into play.

However, the “Curse of the Pharaohs” became a media frenzy because of the untimely deaths of several individuals associated with the excavation. While ultimately debunked, it added a layer of mystery to the discovery. Howard Carter himself died only 16 years later at age sixty-four.

The opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb became a cultural phenomenon, and I’m sure your high-school history teacher discussed it at some point in your education. The unearthing of “King Tut” created a worldwide fascination with ancient Egypt, inspiring countless books movies such as “Mr. Peabody & Sherman.” Now, Tutankhamun is seen as one of the most recognizable pharaohs ever, and we have learned priceless information about ancient Egyptian civilization just from his tomb.

What Did You Learn?

Again, everyone knows who “King Tut” was and how was buried in a detailed, golden sarcophagus.

Is there any new information that you learned or found interesting?

I would love to hear about it below! Thanks!