Tutankhamun Case

Tutankhamun was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, during the period of Egyptian history known as the New Kingdom. Discovered in 1922, King Tutankhamun’s tomb is considered the most important archaeological find of the century, providing the world with a reconstruction of New Kingdom Society. By observing an analyzing the intact, pictorial artifacts found in his burial chamber along with his mummified body, archaeologists are able to form conclusions about what the society was like ranging from Ancient Egyptian religious practices to lifestyle and social customs.

The afterlife and religion were integral facets of daily life and the ancient Egyptian culture, and the pharaoh provided a fundamental link between the spiritual deities and the Egyptian people. This role was exemplified through the various festivals and customs that the pharaoh was involved in with regard to religious practices, as well as the intricate afterlife traditions that centred on the pharaoh’s right to eternal life. The wall paintings in the burial chamber of Tutankhamun’s tomb explicate the importance of the afterlife, particularly in relation to the pharaoh himself. Although only his burial room bore murals upon the wall, the spectacular pictures elucidate Tutankhamun’s holy entry into the afterlife and the customary rituals that were performed in New Kingdom society. The Opening of the Mouth ceremony is depicted on the north-facing wall of the burial chamber, while the rest of the panel and the opposing wall show Tutankhamun being welcomed to the afterlife by various significant gods. The pharaoh’s funeral procession is also portrayed on the walls of the chamber, the culmination of these images effectively demonstrating the supreme importance of the processes involved for the preparation into the afterlife.