CONTENTS

Cairo Daily Times – Tutankhamen’s Burial Chamber Opened! 2

Cairo Daily Times – Carter v the Water Boy 6

Cairo Daily Times – Tutankhamen’s Mummy Discovered! 8

Interview: The Curse of Tutankhamen 10

Debate: What caused Tutankhamen’s Death? 16

Glossary and Index 21

Activities 22

This book is based on historical fact, but the newspaper articles are works of fiction. The interview and debate participants are also fictional characters.

TuTankhamen’s Burial ChamBer Opened!

Discoverymajor new Find in the Valley of the kings!

A team of more than 100 workmen has been digging out thousands of tons of rubble. This work was done over the past six years. Last year, these excavations were almost cancelled due to lack of progress.

The big breakthrough came on 4 November 1922. A water boy, taking drinks to the

workmen, came across a step by accident. It was the first of 16 steps leading down to the tomb.

Since this time, Carter has been removing the contents of the smaller room in front of the burial chamber, or antechamber. Only once this antechamber was clear could Carter open the burial chamber itself.

A remarkable discovery has been made in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt Howard Carter, a scientist who studies ancient ruins, or archaeologist, has finally opened the burial chamber of the king Tutankhamen Carter has been searching for Tutankhamen’s tomb since 1917

Cairo Daily Times, Egypt, 18 February 1923

0 500 1000 Miles

0 500 1000 1500 Kilometres

Key

ValleyoftheKings

AFRICA

Egypt

Mediterranean Sea

Red Sea

Nile

Cairo

Fromlefttoright:Carter,aworkmanandassistantArthurCallenderopeningthedoortotheinnermostshrineintheburialchamberofTutankhamen’stomb

Daily TimesCairoLocation of the Valley of the Kings

2 3

TuTankhamen’s Burial ChamBer Opened!

Discoverymajor new Find in the Valley of the kings!

A team of more than 100 workmen has been digging out thousands of tons of rubble. This work was done over the past six years. Last year, these excavations were almost cancelled due to lack of progress.

The big breakthrough came on 4 November 1922. A water boy, taking drinks to the

workmen, came across a step by accident. It was the first of 16 steps leading down to the tomb.

Since this time, Carter has been removing the contents of the smaller room in front of the burial chamber, or antechamber. Only once this antechamber was clear could Carter open the burial chamber itself.

A remarkable discovery has been made in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt Howard Carter, a scientist who studies ancient ruins, or archaeologist, has finally opened the burial chamber of the king Tutankhamen Carter has been searching for Tutankhamen’s tomb since 1917

Cairo Daily Times, Egypt, 18 February 1923

0 500 1000 Miles

0 500 1000 1500 Kilometres

Key

ValleyoftheKings

AFRICA

Egypt

Mediterranean Sea

Red Sea

Nile

Cairo

Fromlefttoright:Carter,aworkmanandassistantArthurCallenderopeningthedoortotheinnermostshrineintheburialchamberofTutankhamen’stomb

Daily TimesCairoLocation of the Valley of the Kings

2 3

Tutankhamen was king of ancient Egypt, or pharaoh, from 1333 bc to 1324 bc. His name means ‘the living image of Amun’. Amun was an important god in Egyptian mythology. Tutankhamen was just nine years old when he became pharaoh. Carter believes that he died at a young age, but this has

yet to be confirmed. It seems that Tutankhamen was quickly forgotten after his death. More tombs were built in the valley for later rulers. The entrance to Tutankhamen’s tomb became covered up with soil. Two hundred years later, workers even built huts over it.

This is a startling discovery. Tutankhamen’s tomb is the most intact pharaoh’s tomb ever found. The tombs of the Valley of the Kings were often raided. Carter says there are signs that Tutankhamen’s tomb was broken into twice, soon after his death. Thieves stole items from jewellery caskets in the antechamber.

Luckily, they did not reach the burial chamber. The tomb’s guards probably chased the thieves, then resealed the doors into the tomb. Carter predicts that the four rooms of the tomb contain thousands of precious objects.

Lord Carnarvon, a wealthy Englishman, has funded Howard Carter’s work.

GeorgeHerbert,5thEarlofCarnarvon

Cairo Daily Times, Egypt, 18 February 1923

Carter(right)withastatuebeingcarriedoutofthetombbyaworkman

CarterandLordCarnarvonatthetomb

4 5

Tutankhamen was king of ancient Egypt, or pharaoh, from 1333 bc to 1324 bc. His name means ‘the living image of Amun’. Amun was an important god in Egyptian mythology. Tutankhamen was just nine years old when he became pharaoh. Carter believes that he died at a young age, but this has

yet to be confirmed. It seems that Tutankhamen was quickly forgotten after his death. More tombs were built in the valley for later rulers. The entrance to Tutankhamen’s tomb became covered up with soil. Two hundred years later, workers even built huts over it.

This is a startling discovery. Tutankhamen’s tomb is the most intact pharaoh’s tomb ever found. The tombs of the Valley of the Kings were often raided. Carter says there are signs that Tutankhamen’s tomb was broken into twice, soon after his death. Thieves stole items from jewellery caskets in the antechamber.

Luckily, they did not reach the burial chamber. The tomb’s guards probably chased the thieves, then resealed the doors into the tomb. Carter predicts that the four rooms of the tomb contain thousands of precious objects.

Lord Carnarvon, a wealthy Englishman, has funded Howard Carter’s work.

GeorgeHerbert,5thEarlofCarnarvon

Cairo Daily Times, Egypt, 18 February 1923

Carter(right)withastatuebeingcarriedoutofthetombbyaworkman

CarterandLordCarnarvonatthetomb

4 5

CARTER v THE WATER BOY

REPORT

The step was the first clue to the position of the tomb. Many of the tombs in the valley had staircases leading down into them. Nes’s lawyer claims that if this step hadn’t been found, the rest of the tomb would have remained hidden.

Carter’s lawyer argues that Carter knew that Tutankhamen’s tomb was in the Valley of the Kings. Carter had done a grid search, digging down to the rock metre by metre. The lawyer then produced a map showing

these excavations. The area around the tomb was the last to be excavated. This was because crowds of tourists visiting the tomb of Ramses IV made digging nearby difficult. Also, the workers on Ramses IV’s tomb had built their huts over Tutankhamen’s tomb. Carter ordered his men to dig a trench through these ancient huts. Only then did the water boy make his discovery.

The lawyer said that it was just a matter of time before the tomb would be found. The water boy did not even realise that the step was the first of 16 steps leading down into a tomb. He simply used the step as a place to put his water jugs. The lawyer stated that Carter, however, immediately realised that the steps led to Tutankhamen’s tomb.

The case continues.

Cairo Daily Times, 6 April 1923

The controversy over who actually discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen continued today at the Cairo High Court The case, known as ‘Carter v the Water Boy’, is in its third day of trial The archaeologist Howard Carter argues that his research led to the discovery of the tomb A water boy working for Carter, known only as ‘Nes’, states that he should get the credit

Workmenandvisitorsobservingtheexcavationofthetomb

On the witness stand, Nes stated that on 4 November 1922 he hit a rock with his heel. At the time he was making room for jugs of water for the thirsty workers at the excavation site. When sand was cleared off this rock, the step was revealed. Other eyewitnesses confirm this report.

EntrancetothetombofKingTutankhamenintheValleyoftheKings

Daily TimesCairo

6 7

CARTER v THE WATER BOY

REPORT

The step was the first clue to the position of the tomb. Many of the tombs in the valley had staircases leading down into them. Nes’s lawyer claims that if this step hadn’t been found, the rest of the tomb would have remained hidden.

Carter’s lawyer argues that Carter knew that Tutankhamen’s tomb was in the Valley of the Kings. Carter had done a grid search, digging down to the rock metre by metre. The lawyer then produced a map showing

these excavations. The area around the tomb was the last to be excavated. This was because crowds of tourists visiting the tomb of Ramses IV made digging nearby difficult. Also, the workers on Ramses IV’s tomb had built their huts over Tutankhamen’s tomb. Carter ordered his men to dig a trench through these ancient huts. Only then did the water boy make his discovery.

The lawyer said that it was just a matter of time before the tomb would be found. The water boy did not even realise that the step was the first of 16 steps leading down into a tomb. He simply used the step as a place to put his water jugs. The lawyer stated that Carter, however, immediately realised that the steps led to Tutankhamen’s tomb.

The case continues.

Cairo Daily Times, 6 April 1923

The controversy over who actually discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen continued today at the Cairo High Court The case, known as ‘Carter v the Water Boy’, is in its third day of trial The archaeologist Howard Carter argues that his research led to the discovery of the tomb A water boy working for Carter, known only as ‘Nes’, states that he should get the credit

Workmenandvisitorsobservingtheexcavationofthetomb

On the witness stand, Nes stated that on 4 November 1922 he hit a rock with his heel. At the time he was making room for jugs of water for the thirsty workers at the excavation site. When sand was cleared off this rock, the step was revealed. Other eyewitnesses confirm this report.

EntrancetothetombofKingTutankhamenintheValleyoftheKings

Daily TimesCairo

6 7

TuTANkHAmEN’S mummY DiSCOvERED!

Nearly two years after the opening of Tutankhamen’s burial chamber, the archaeologist Howard Carter has finally uncovered the pharaoh’s mummy Exploring the burial chamber has been very slow and difficult work

The room contains four shrines, one inside the other. It is like a maze. Carter says, ‘We had to squeeze in and out like weasels.’ At the centre of the room is a stone coffin, or sarcophagus. Carter needed ropes and pulleys to lift the sarcophagus lid. It weighs over a ton. Inside were three more coffins. The one containing the mummy is pure gold.

One of the most exciting finds is a pure gold mask that covers Tutankhamen’s head.

Carter has been working with a team of experts. They have also found many beautiful objects, such as jewellery and furniture. Each object is photographed and drawn. Its original position is mapped. This method helps archaeologists put together clues about how ancient peoples lived. The team takes great care not to damage any of the treasures. Some things are very fragile. Sadly, the wreaths of f lowers in the burial chamber fell apart at the touch. The treasures are being sent to the Museum of Cairo for safekeeping.

Cairo Daily Times, Egypt, 18 November 1925

Tomb floor plan

HowardCartercarefullyexaminesthecoffinofTutankhamen.

Annex

Antechamber

BurialChamber

TreasureChamber

Passage

Key

partitionedwall

sealeddoors

sarcophagus

approximate scale0metres 5

Daily TimesCairo

8 9

TuTANkHAmEN’S mummY DiSCOvERED!

Nearly two years after the opening of Tutankhamen’s burial chamber, the archaeologist Howard Carter has finally uncovered the pharaoh’s mummy Exploring the burial chamber has been very slow and difficult work

The room contains four shrines, one inside the other. It is like a maze. Carter says, ‘We had to squeeze in and out like weasels.’ At the centre of the room is a stone coffin, or sarcophagus. Carter needed ropes and pulleys to lift the sarcophagus lid. It weighs over a ton. Inside were three more coffins. The one containing the mummy is pure gold.

One of the most exciting finds is a pure gold mask that covers Tutankhamen’s head.

Carter has been working with a team of experts. They have also found many beautiful objects, such as jewellery and furniture. Each object is photographed and drawn. Its original position is mapped. This method helps archaeologists put together clues about how ancient peoples lived. The team takes great care not to damage any of the treasures. Some things are very fragile. Sadly, the wreaths of f lowers in the burial chamber fell apart at the touch. The treasures are being sent to the Museum of Cairo for safekeeping.

Cairo Daily Times, Egypt, 18 November 1925

Tomb floor plan

HowardCartercarefullyexaminesthecoffinofTutankhamen.

Annex

Antechamber

BurialChamber

TreasureChamber

Passage

Key

partitionedwall

sealeddoors

sarcophagus

approximate scale0metres 5

Daily TimesCairo

8 9

Interviewer: It is said that there were words written on Tutankhamen’s tomb. They read: ‘Death shall come on swift wings to him who disturbs the peace of the king.’ There is no record of this inscription being found. However, stories

about the curse of Tutankhamen spread around the world. Some of the people who were involved with the opening of the tomb later died unexpectedly. Is the curse real? Or was it just media frenzy at the time?

Debating the issue in the studio today we have Madame Solis, an expert on the paranormal, and Dr Robbins, head of medical research at Oxford University, UK.

My first question is for Madame Solis. A famous writer of the time, Marie Corelli, warned people not to enter the tomb because of this curse. Was she right to do so?

Madame Solis: Of course, Marie Corelli should have warned people. There are always consequences when you disturb the sleep of the dead.

Dr Robbins: Nonsense!

INTERVIEW: THE CURSE OF TUTANKHAMEN Real or Imagined?

FuneralfigurineofpharaohTutankhamen

ThewriterMarieCorelli

in1905

ScarabbraceletfromTutankhamen’stomb

Thefirstglimpseoftheburialchamber

whichCarterandCarnarvonsawon

breakingthesealeddoorway

1110

Interviewer: It is said that there were words written on Tutankhamen’s tomb. They read: ‘Death shall come on swift wings to him who disturbs the peace of the king.’ There is no record of this inscription being found. However, stories

about the curse of Tutankhamen spread around the world. Some of the people who were involved with the opening of the tomb later died unexpectedly. Is the curse real? Or was it just media frenzy at the time?

Debating the issue in the studio today we have Madame Solis, an expert on the paranormal, and Dr Robbins, head of medical research at Oxford University, UK.

My first question is for Madame Solis. A famous writer of the time, Marie Corelli, warned people not to enter the tomb because of this curse. Was she right to do so?

Madame Solis: Of course, Marie Corelli should have warned people. There are always consequences when you disturb the sleep of the dead.

Dr Robbins: Nonsense!

INTERVIEW: THE CURSE OF TUTANKHAMEN Real or Imagined?

FuneralfigurineofpharaohTutankhamen

ThewriterMarieCorelli

in1905

ScarabbraceletfromTutankhamen’stomb

Thefirstglimpseoftheburialchamber

whichCarterandCarnarvonsawon

breakingthesealeddoorway

1110

Interviewer: After the opening of Tutankhamen’s burial chamber, a number of mysterious deaths occurred. Howard Carter had a pet canary as a lucky mascot. A cobra ate the canary the very day the tomb was opened. Your comments?

Madame Solis: The cobra was the special protector of the pharaohs. I believe that the cobra killed Carter’s canary because he had dared enter the sacred tomb.

Dr Robbins: You can put whatever mythical spin you like on it. The fact is, cobras eat birds every day.

Interviewer: Next, Lord Carnarvon died seven weeks after the opening of the tomb. There was also a lot of talk about a power failure in Cairo and the death of Lord Carnarvon’s dog.

Madame Solis: I agree with Conan Doyle, the brilliant creator of Sherlock Holmes. Doyle believed that Lord Carnarvon’s death was due to the pharaoh’s

curse. The lights of Cairo going out at the very moment of his death showed the anger of the gods.

Dr Robbins: Pure coincidence! Cairo’s electrical system was very unreliable back then. Even today, the lights still often fail. The fact is that Lord Carnarvon had been ill for 20 years. He had been injured in a car accident. A

mosquito bite became infected after he cut it shaving. He caught pneumonia and died. Simple. As for Conan Doyle – why, he believed in fairies!

AviewofCairointheearly1900s

ThewriterSirArthurConanDoyle

Anamuletfoundinthetomb

Tutankhamen’sgoldburialmask

12 13

Interviewer: After the opening of Tutankhamen’s burial chamber, a number of mysterious deaths occurred. Howard Carter had a pet canary as a lucky mascot. A cobra ate the canary the very day the tomb was opened. Your comments?

Madame Solis: The cobra was the special protector of the pharaohs. I believe that the cobra killed Carter’s canary because he had dared enter the sacred tomb.

Dr Robbins: You can put whatever mythical spin you like on it. The fact is, cobras eat birds every day.

Interviewer: Next, Lord Carnarvon died seven weeks after the opening of the tomb. There was also a lot of talk about a power failure in Cairo and the death of Lord Carnarvon’s dog.

Madame Solis: I agree with Conan Doyle, the brilliant creator of Sherlock Holmes. Doyle believed that Lord Carnarvon’s death was due to the pharaoh’s

curse. The lights of Cairo going out at the very moment of his death showed the anger of the gods.

Dr Robbins: Pure coincidence! Cairo’s electrical system was very unreliable back then. Even today, the lights still often fail. The fact is that Lord Carnarvon had been ill for 20 years. He had been injured in a car accident. A

mosquito bite became infected after he cut it shaving. He caught pneumonia and died. Simple. As for Conan Doyle – why, he believed in fairies!

AviewofCairointheearly1900s

ThewriterSirArthurConanDoyle

Anamuletfoundinthetomb

Tutankhamen’sgoldburialmask

12 13

Madame Solis: That power failure in Cairo was so widespread that the British Consul launched an investigation. No explanation was found. Lord Carnarvon’s pet dog, Susie, also felt her master’s death. Back at his home in England, she began howling the moment he died and then dropped down dead, too!

Dr Robbins: This is pure fable, spread by Carnarvon’s brother. There were no reliable witnesses. Carnarvon’s brother was actually in India at the time!

Interviewer: There were 26 people at the official opening of the tomb. Out of those, six died within the next 10 years.

Madame Solis: Clearly an example of what happens when you play with forces you don’t understand. Let this be a warning to those who disturb the eternal rest of the dead.

Dr Robbins: Where are the facts to prove your claims? Where is the evidence? Most of the important people lived to a ripe old age. Howard Carter died at the age of 65, 17 years after he entered the tomb. Lord Carnarvon’s daughter,

Lady Evelyn, lived to nearly 80. Both the doctor who did the autopsy of Tutankhamen’s mummy and the translator of the tomb’s inscriptions died 40 years or more later.

Madame Solis: Yes, but the curse caught up with them in the end, didn’t it?

Dr Robbins: Dear Madame, I hate to have to tell you, but death comes to us all in the end.

Interviewer: On that note, we will end our session. Thank you both for your time.

LadyEvelyn,LordCarnarvon,CarterandCallenderonthestepstothetomb

Leatherandgoldsandalsfoundatthetomb

14 15

Madame Solis: That power failure in Cairo was so widespread that the British Consul launched an investigation. No explanation was found. Lord Carnarvon’s pet dog, Susie, also felt her master’s death. Back at his home in England, she began howling the moment he died and then dropped down dead, too!

Dr Robbins: This is pure fable, spread by Carnarvon’s brother. There were no reliable witnesses. Carnarvon’s brother was actually in India at the time!

Interviewer: There were 26 people at the official opening of the tomb. Out of those, six died within the next 10 years.

Madame Solis: Clearly an example of what happens when you play with forces you don’t understand. Let this be a warning to those who disturb the eternal rest of the dead.

Dr Robbins: Where are the facts to prove your claims? Where is the evidence? Most of the important people lived to a ripe old age. Howard Carter died at the age of 65, 17 years after he entered the tomb. Lord Carnarvon’s daughter,

Lady Evelyn, lived to nearly 80. Both the doctor who did the autopsy of Tutankhamen’s mummy and the translator of the tomb’s inscriptions died 40 years or more later.

Madame Solis: Yes, but the curse caught up with them in the end, didn’t it?

Dr Robbins: Dear Madame, I hate to have to tell you, but death comes to us all in the end.

Interviewer: On that note, we will end our session. Thank you both for your time.

LadyEvelyn,LordCarnarvon,CarterandCallenderonthestepstothetomb

Leatherandgoldsandalsfoundatthetomb

14 15

Today, we are debating the causes of the pharaoh's early death In Team A we have students of the Ancient History Department Team B are students from the School of Medicine

Chair: Finding the cause of Tutankhamen’s death is a difficult task. Not only is the body over 3,300 years old, it was also cut into several pieces by Carter. The ancient Egyptians used special oils and minerals to preserve bodies after death. This embalming fluid was set solid by the time of the

discovery. Because of the solidified embalming fluid, Tutankhamen’s body was stuck to the bottom of the inner coffin, and his head to the gold mask. So, Carter had no option but to cut up the body.

There have been ongoing arguments about the cause of death. Most of the evidence comes from X-rays. The body was X-rayed in 1968, in 1978 and in 2005. Most recently, DNA tests have been done. Some people believe Tutankhamen was murdered, others that his death was an accident.

Team A, will you lead off the discussion?

Jennifer, Team A: Dr R G Harrison did the first X-rays in 1968. They showed an injury to the lower part of Tutankhamen’s skull.

A young king like Tutankhamen would have been an easy target for a murder plot. Ay, the next pharaoh,

was hungry for power. Tutankhamen’s wife, the daughter of queen Nefertiti, might have hoped to become a goddess queen herself.

AnX-rayofKing

Tutankhamen’sskull

DEBATE: WHAT CAUSED TUTANKHAMEN’S

DEATH?

FamousbustofQueenNefertiti

1716

Today, we are debating the causes of the pharaoh's early death In Team A we have students of the Ancient History Department Team B are students from the School of Medicine

Chair: Finding the cause of Tutankhamen’s death is a difficult task. Not only is the body over 3,300 years old, it was also cut into several pieces by Carter. The ancient Egyptians used special oils and minerals to preserve bodies after death. This embalming fluid was set solid by the time of the

discovery. Because of the solidified embalming fluid, Tutankhamen’s body was stuck to the bottom of the inner coffin, and his head to the gold mask. So, Carter had no option but to cut up the body.

There have been ongoing arguments about the cause of death. Most of the evidence comes from X-rays. The body was X-rayed in 1968, in 1978 and in 2005. Most recently, DNA tests have been done. Some people believe Tutankhamen was murdered, others that his death was an accident.

Team A, will you lead off the discussion?

Jennifer, Team A: Dr R G Harrison did the first X-rays in 1968. They showed an injury to the lower part of Tutankhamen’s skull.

A young king like Tutankhamen would have been an easy target for a murder plot. Ay, the next pharaoh,

was hungry for power. Tutankhamen’s wife, the daughter of queen Nefertiti, might have hoped to become a goddess queen herself.

AnX-rayofKing

Tutankhamen’sskull

DEBATE: WHAT CAUSED TUTANKHAMEN’S

DEATH?

FamousbustofQueenNefertiti

1716

Holly, Team B: The 1968 X-rays were re-examined by Dr Robert Connelly in 2003. He enlarged and improved the images. However, they revealed no evidence of foul play.

In 2005, a team led by a Tutankhamen expert, Dr Zahi Hawass, took 1,700 images of the body. They used special X-ray equipment and computers that provided an in-depth picture of the inside of the body. This CAT scan showed no evidence of a blow to the back of the skull.

Alan, Team A: There is strong evidence that Tutankhamen was buried in haste. His tomb was much smaller than usual for a pharaoh. It was meant for someone else, and used for him at the last moment.

This suggests panic, not planning. The lid of the sarcophagus has a bad crack across the middle. It seems that it was dropped accidentally. Don’t you agree all this seems very suspicious?

Barbara, Team B: The murder theory appeals to people’s imaginations. However, the real cause is less dramatic. The 2005 CAT scan proved that

Tutankhamen’s leg had been broken. Images from this period show that Tutankhamen liked to hunt. He could easily have fallen while racing after wild beasts. Medical experts think an open wound on his leg could have become infected with gangrene. If so, that would have caused his death. These experts believe the break could have occurred only hours or days before he died. This explains any rush with the burial.

Carterandahelperattheopenedsarcophagus

Detailfromthelidofachest,

showingthepharaohhunting

ACATscanimageofKingTutankhamen’smummy

DrZahiHawass(left)andcolleaguestandinginfrontofaCATscannerwiththemummy18 19

Holly, Team B: The 1968 X-rays were re-examined by Dr Robert Connelly in 2003. He enlarged and improved the images. However, they revealed no evidence of foul play.

In 2005, a team led by a Tutankhamen expert, Dr Zahi Hawass, took 1,700 images of the body. They used special X-ray equipment and computers that provided an in-depth picture of the inside of the body. This CAT scan showed no evidence of a blow to the back of the skull.

Alan, Team A: There is strong evidence that Tutankhamen was buried in haste. His tomb was much smaller than usual for a pharaoh. It was meant for someone else, and used for him at the last moment.

This suggests panic, not planning. The lid of the sarcophagus has a bad crack across the middle. It seems that it was dropped accidentally. Don’t you agree all this seems very suspicious?

Barbara, Team B: The murder theory appeals to people’s imaginations. However, the real cause is less dramatic. The 2005 CAT scan proved that

Tutankhamen’s leg had been broken. Images from this period show that Tutankhamen liked to hunt. He could easily have fallen while racing after wild beasts. Medical experts think an open wound on his leg could have become infected with gangrene. If so, that would have caused his death. These experts believe the break could have occurred only hours or days before he died. This explains any rush with the burial.

Carterandahelperattheopenedsarcophagus

Detailfromthelidofachest,

showingthepharaohhunting

ACATscanimageofKingTutankhamen’smummy

DrZahiHawass(left)andcolleaguestandinginfrontofaCATscannerwiththemummy18 19

George, Team A: I’d like to point out that not all the scientists who examined the CAT scan images agreed about the leg injury. Some believe the bone fracture resulted from Carter’s rough treatment of the body. He had to cut it loose from the solid embalming fluid.

That would still leave the death unexplained.

Kate, Team B: I think we should look at the latest DNA findings. From the 2005 CAT scan, it seemed that Tutankhamen was quite healthy. However, DNA findings released in February 2010 show that Tutankhamen was actually in poor health. He had

a rare bone disease. If he injured his leg, then it would not have healed. There’s also some evidence that he may have died of malaria. Remember, too, there were around 130 canes and walking sticks in his tomb. This suggests that Tutankhamen was very weak long before any injury.

Chair: I think we can conclude that these latest findings are convincing. However, I’m sure Tutankhamen’s fate will continue to fascinate people for many years to come. This won’t be the last word on the subject.

GLOSSARYantechamber – a room leading to a larger, more important room

archaeologist – a scientist who studies ancient people and their cultures

CAT scan – a scan using special X-ray equipment and computers to give a very in-depth picture of the inside of the body

embalming fluid – special oils and minerals used to preserve the body after death

evidence – facts or information that prove something is true, or give clues about what happened, for example at a crime scene

excavation – the investigation of an archaeological site by digging

pharaoh – a ruler of ancient Egypt

sarcophagus – a stone coffin, often carved with writing or other decoration

iNDEXburial chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 3, 5, 8, 12

cobra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

mask . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 13, 16

mummy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 14, 19

Museum of Cairo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

power failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-14

Valley of the Kings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 3, 5, 7

X-rays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-18

ScientiststakingDNAsamplesfromthemummyin2008

2120

George, Team A: I’d like to point out that not all the scientists who examined the CAT scan images agreed about the leg injury. Some believe the bone fracture resulted from Carter’s rough treatment of the body. He had to cut it loose from the solid embalming fluid.

That would still leave the death unexplained.

Kate, Team B: I think we should look at the latest DNA findings. From the 2005 CAT scan, it seemed that Tutankhamen was quite healthy. However, DNA findings released in February 2010 show that Tutankhamen was actually in poor health. He had

a rare bone disease. If he injured his leg, then it would not have healed. There’s also some evidence that he may have died of malaria. Remember, too, there were around 130 canes and walking sticks in his tomb. This suggests that Tutankhamen was very weak long before any injury.

Chair: I think we can conclude that these latest findings are convincing. However, I’m sure Tutankhamen’s fate will continue to fascinate people for many years to come. This won’t be the last word on the subject.

GLOSSARYantechamber – a room leading to a larger, more important room

archaeologist – a scientist who studies ancient people and their cultures

CAT scan – a scan using special X-ray equipment and computers to give a very in-depth picture of the inside of the body

embalming fluid – special oils and minerals used to preserve the body after death

evidence – facts or information that prove something is true, or give clues about what happened, for example at a crime scene

excavation – the investigation of an archaeological site by digging

pharaoh – a ruler of ancient Egypt

sarcophagus – a stone coffin, often carved with writing or other decoration

iNDEXburial chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 3, 5, 8, 12

cobra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

mask . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 13, 16

mummy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 14, 19

Museum of Cairo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

power failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-14

Valley of the Kings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 3, 5, 7

X-rays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-18

ScientiststakingDNAsamplesfromthemummyin2008

2120

Activities TUTANKHAMEN’S BURIAL

CHAMBER OPENED!DISCOVERY

Major New Find in the Valley of the Kings!

A team of more than 100 workmen has been digging out thousands of tons of rubble. This work was done over the past six years. Last year, these excavations were almost cancelled due to lack of progress.

The big breakthrough came on 4 November 1922. A water boy, taking drinks to the

workmen, came across a step by accident. It was the first of 16 steps leading down to the tomb.

Since this time, Carter has been removing the contents of the smaller room in front of the burial chamber, or antechamber. Only once this antechamber was clear could Carter open the burial chamber itself.

A remarkable discovery has been made in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. An expert in ancient people, Howard Carter, a scientist who studies ancient ruins, or archaeologist, has finally opened the burial chamber of the king Tutankhamen. Carter has been searching for Tutankhamen’s tomb since 1917.

Cairo Daily Times, Egypt, 18 February 1923

0 500 1000 Miles

0 500 1000 1500 Kilometres

Key

ValleyoftheKings

AFRICA

Egypt

Mediterranean Sea

Red Sea

Nile

Cairo

Fromlefttoright:Carter,aworkmanandassistantArthurCallenderopeningthedoortotheinnermostshrineintheburialchamberofTutankhamen’stomb

Daily TimesCairoLocation of the Valley of the Kings

2 3

Genre FocusWriting a Discussion1. You are going to write a discussion about uncovering

things from the past. Archaeologists spend their time carefully unearthing remains from ancient times. Is this right or should the past remain undisturbed? Keep in mind that this sometimes involves burial sites, such as that of Tutankhamen.

2. Before you begin, jot down some notes under two headings – ‘In favour’ of unearthing things from the past and ‘Against’. Discuss the topic with friends and teachers or parents and take notes.

3. Remember a discussion needs an introduction. Plan and then write a simple introduction that tells us what is going to be discussed. It could be a couple of sentences that mention the job of archaeologists and the different reactions people have to the locating and investigating of historical remains.

4. In the next section of your text, write supportive arguments for these investigations and the removal or study of human remains.

5. Now, write arguments against unearthing and removing things from the past, based on what people say who are uncomfortable with this, or object to it.

6. Summarise or round off your text without taking sides. Your very last sentence could be a question – How do you feel about the uncovering of things from times gone by?

DiscussionA discussion is a text that examines more than one side of a particular issue.

Looking back at a DISCUSSIONThe text you have just read includes several discussions – an argument over who discovered Tutankhamen’s tomb, an interview about the curse of Tutankhamen and a debate about what caused his death.

1. A discussion text begins with an introduction. In this book, the first article from the Cairo Daily Times is an overall introduction. Look at the text on pages 2-5. What did you learn about Tutankhamen from this article?

2. A discussion text presents both sides of an argument. Go back to pages 6 and 7 and reread the argument about who discovered the tomb. Use bullet points to complete each of the sentences – a) Nes’s lawyer argued that... b) Carter’s lawyer argued that...

3. When points are made in a discussion, they need to be supported with evidence. Turn back to the debate about what caused Tutankhamen’s death on pages 17 and 18. a) What physical evidence did Jennifer use to support the argument that Tutankhamen was murdered? b) What evidence did Holly use to refute this argument?

4. During the radio interview, Dr Robbins continues to use the word ‘fact/s’. How do you think this impacted on his argument?

5. A discussion needs a rounding off or a summing up. How did the chairperson sum up the debate on page 20?

Activities 2322

Activities TUTANKHAMEN’S BURIAL

CHAMBER OPENED!DISCOVERY

Major New Find in the Valley of the Kings!

A team of more than 100 workmen has been digging out thousands of tons of rubble. This work was done over the past six years. Last year, these excavations were almost cancelled due to lack of progress.

The big breakthrough came on 4 November 1922. A water boy, taking drinks to the

workmen, came across a step by accident. It was the first of 16 steps leading down to the tomb.

Since this time, Carter has been removing the contents of the smaller room in front of the burial chamber, or antechamber. Only once this antechamber was clear could Carter open the burial chamber itself.

A remarkable discovery has been made in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. An expert in ancient people, Howard Carter, a scientist who studies ancient ruins, or archaeologist, has finally opened the burial chamber of the king Tutankhamen. Carter has been searching for Tutankhamen’s tomb since 1917.

Cairo Daily Times, Egypt, 18 February 1923

0 500 1000 Miles

0 500 1000 1500 Kilometres

Key

ValleyoftheKings

AFRICA

Egypt

Mediterranean Sea

Red Sea

Nile

Cairo

Fromlefttoright:Carter,aworkmanandassistantArthurCallenderopeningthedoortotheinnermostshrineintheburialchamberofTutankhamen’stomb

Daily TimesCairoLocation of the Valley of the Kings

2 3

Genre FocusWriting a Discussion1. You are going to write a discussion about uncovering

things from the past. Archaeologists spend their time carefully unearthing remains from ancient times. Is this right or should the past remain undisturbed? Keep in mind that this sometimes involves burial sites, such as that of Tutankhamen.

2. Before you begin, jot down some notes under two headings – ‘In favour’ of unearthing things from the past and ‘Against’. Discuss the topic with friends and teachers or parents and take notes.

3. Remember a discussion needs an introduction. Plan and then write a simple introduction that tells us what is going to be discussed. It could be a couple of sentences that mention the job of archaeologists and the different reactions people have to the locating and investigating of historical remains.

4. In the next section of your text, write supportive arguments for these investigations and the removal or study of human remains.

5. Now, write arguments against unearthing and removing things from the past, based on what people say who are uncomfortable with this, or object to it.

6. Summarise or round off your text without taking sides. Your very last sentence could be a question – How do you feel about the uncovering of things from times gone by?

DiscussionA discussion is a text that examines more than one side of a particular issue.

Looking back at a DISCUSSIONThe text you have just read includes several discussions – an argument over who discovered Tutankhamen’s tomb, an interview about the curse of Tutankhamen and a debate about what caused his death.

1. A discussion text begins with an introduction. In this book, the first article from the Cairo Daily Times is an overall introduction. Look at the text on pages 2-5. What did you learn about Tutankhamen from this article?

2. A discussion text presents both sides of an argument. Go back to pages 6 and 7 and reread the argument about who discovered the tomb. Use bullet points to complete each of the sentences – a) Nes’s lawyer argued that... b) Carter’s lawyer argued that...

3. When points are made in a discussion, they need to be supported with evidence. Turn back to the debate about what caused Tutankhamen’s death on pages 17 and 18. a) What physical evidence did Jennifer use to support the argument that Tutankhamen was murdered? b) What evidence did Holly use to refute this argument?

4. During the radio interview, Dr Robbins continues to use the word ‘fact/s’. How do you think this impacted on his argument?

5. A discussion needs a rounding off or a summing up. How did the chairperson sum up the debate on page 20?

Activities 2322

Comprehension Focus

Fact and Opinion

Remember:A fact is something that is true and an opinion is what someone thinks or believes.

You are going to make a board game called A Race to the Tomb.

1. On a large sheet of paper or card, rule up a grid. (It could be 10 x 10 spaces or 12 x 12 spaces.)

2. Go back through this book and find facts and opinions. For example – Opinion: ‘...if this step hadn’t been found, the rest of the tomb would have remained hidden’. Fact: ‘Dr R G Harrison did the first X-rays in 1968’.

3. Write the facts and opinions on individual cards. Use one colour card for the facts and another for the opinions. At the end of each fact, write ‘go forward a certain number of squares’. At the end of each opinion, write ‘go back so many squares’.

4. In a few spaces on your grid, shade squares to match the two colours of the cards. Number the squares beginning with 1 on the bottom left. Draw a picture of a tomb on the final square.

5. With a friend, take turns throwing a die and moving forward the appropriate number of spaces.

6. If you land on a coloured square, you must pick up, read and move spaces according to what is indicated on the card.

7. See who is first to reach the tomb.

Activities

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Tomb

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