How Does the Contents of Tutankhamen's Tomb Tell Us the Everyday Life of a Pharaoh

The contents of Tutankhamen’s tomb reveal significant knowledge of the lives of pharaohs in the new kingdom. Tutankhamen’s tomb being on of the most intact tombs found in Egypt, archaeologists referencing the contents of his tomb, can have an in-depth view of the society and lives of pharaohs during the time of the new kingdom.

The New Kingdom of Egypt was a period of time when Egypt was at the wealthiest and most powerful time. From the gold mines in the deserts of the south, it supplied Egypt with unimaginable wealth. It was believed by British historian Paul Johnson, that it was gold rather than military power that sustained the Ancient Egypt Empire. The wealth of Ancient Egypt can be evident in Tutankhamen’s tomb. The famous Death Mask was made of solid gold and inlaid with semiprecious stones and coloured glass. Tutankhamen’s innermost coffin was also made of solid gold, weighing 110 kilograms. This indicated gold was at abundance during the time of the New Kingdom. But gold wasn’t the only valuables buried with Tutankhamen. Treasures including bracelets, amulets, pendants, necklaces, anklets, rings and scarabs made of gold and silver encrusted with precious and semiprecious jewels along with 50 pieces of clothing made of the finest linen including tunics, kilts, scarves, headdresses and gloves were also buried with him. Theses jewellery and fine clothing gives us an idea of a life of luxuries for pharaohs.

Items in Tutankhamen’s tomb showed that pharaohs enjoyed their leisure time. In his tomb, they discovered an ancient board game made out of ebony called Senet, which is similar to the modern game Backgammon. It is clear Pharaohs enjoyed spending their leisure time in luxury too. This can be further proved by the ostrich feather fans and golden fans found in the treasury on Tutankhamen’s tomb. Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt enjoyed music, food and wine and the entertainment of his or her servants. Musical instruments, food and 30 jugs of wine were found in his tomb. This provides a detailed knowledge of the leisure time of Pharaohs in the New Kingdom.

The pharaohs of the New Kingdom were one family. Family also played a big role in their lives. They passed down the throne down the blood line, and it was not uncommon for family members to marry each other to keep they blood pure. This created incest in the family and many Pharaohs and members of the royal family were born with genetic defects. Tutankhamen was an incest child. Born with a defect in his leg he was forced to walk with a cane. Inside Tutankhamen’s tomb was 139 walking sticks made of ivory, ebony, silver and gold. This solidified the fact that Tutankhamen walked with a limp due to incest. Inside his tomb were also two female premature fetuses. They are believed to be Tutankhamen’s daughters mummified with him. The larger of the two fetuses underwent x-rays and a number of skeletal malformations. These genetic defects are also caused by an act