Things placed along with Tut’s dead body in his tomb form the richest royal collection ever found anywhere. Why did Egyptians put such things beside the dead body? What did the tourists see inside the tomb?
There was a custom in Egypt to place all valuables including gold and jewellery beside the dead body. Not only that, they also placed things of everyday use that the dead would need in the afterlife. Egyptians believed in life after death. They hoped that all such things would be used by them in the afterlife.
Tut died unexpectedly very young. The boy king was laid to rest in a tomb. His tomb was discovered in 1922 by Carter. Its contents were surprisingly complete. They remain the richest royal collection ever found anywhere. His gilded face and stunning artefacts in gold caused a sensation at the time of discovery. Their eternal brilliance meant to guarantee re-birth. But Tut was also buried with everyday things he would want in the after life. Board games, a bronze razor, linen garments and cases of food and wine were placed along with his dead body.
Tourists from around the world came to see Tut’s rock-cut tomb. They gazed at the wall paintings and the gilded face and gold coffin of Tut. Some of them pondered over his untimely death while others feared ‘the Pharaoh’s curse falling upon those who disturbed him’.
