The Discovery of Tutankhamun

Tutankhamun, also called King Tut, was a young pharaoh of ancient Egypt. He ruled over 3,000 years ago. For a long time, nobody knew where his tomb was. In 1922, an English archaeologist named Howard Carter finally found it.

Finding the Tomb

Howard Carter searched for King Tut's tomb for many years. He dug in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. One day, his team found steps leading down into the ground. At the bottom was a sealed door. When Carter looked inside, he saw amazing treasures sparkling in the dark.

The Treasures Inside

The tomb was filled with gold, jewels, and beautiful objects. Carter found over 5,000 items inside. There were chariots, thrones, and statues. King Tut's body was in a gold coffin with a famous mask on its face. The mask was made of solid gold and painted with bright colors.

Fun Facts

• King Tut became pharaoh when he was only about 9 years old.
• His tomb had been untouched for over 3,000 years.
• The gold mask weighs about 22 pounds.

Did You Know?

Scientists still study King Tut's mummy today to learn how he lived and died so young.