King Tut’s tomb unearthing occurred a hundred years ago. On November 4, 1917, British explorer Howard Carter discovered King Tutankhamun’s tomb. He discovered it in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. A century after that epic discovery, the tombs of ancient Egypt’s rulers continue to offer new findings.
King Tut’s Tomb – the Greatest Finding in Modern History
The unearthing of King Tut’s tomb on Nov. 4, 1922 is one of the greatest finds in modern history. But, archaeologists remained convinced more remained undiscovered. Now, Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s former state minister for antiquities, says archaeologists recently uncovered coffins.
They also uncovered papyrus documents and other artifacts at the Saqqara site in Giza, near the country’s capital. He also stated, related artifacts are not only related to King Tut and his advisers, but also to the Pharaoh King Teti.
“I really believe that this year and next year, this site is going to be the most important site in Egypt”, said Hawass.
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Mummies discovered near Teti’s tomb in Saqqara will be excavated and subjected to an autopsy X-rays. The artifact display will be at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which should open next year.
Also, the new museum should be the largest archaeological museum in the world. It will give viewers a view of the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Menkaure.
Did Carter steal the artifacts from the site?
Hawass added archaeologists only discovered a fraction of Egypt’s buried monuments. He considers Saqqara, this moment’s hottest spot. “I always say that we found, until now only 30% of our monuments are still there, 70% are buried underneath the ground”, he said.
He also gave a comment on the King Teti. “Teti was worshipped as a god in the New Kingdom, and everyone wanted to be buried alongside him”, Hawass said about the Sixth Dynasty’s first king.
The king governed for 12 years, between 2300—2181 B.C.E. Hawass also stated this year, his crew discovered around 300 coffins near Teti’s pyramid. Also, each of them has a sufficient material for archaeological study.
King Tut, sometimes known as the “Boy Pharaoh”, ascended to the throne at the age of nine more than 3,000 years ago. This marked his 10-year reign, hampered by health problems.
On the other hand, claims Carter stole artifacts from the site support a recent book by Egyptologist Bob Brier. “As an archaeologist, if you gave me the whole money of the United States and England, I would say no”, Hawass says about the invaluable cultural value of finding King Tut’s tomb. “This heritage belongs to everyone.”
Hawass and his British rival Nicholas Reeves are still in competition to find the tomb of Tut’s stepmother, Queen Nefertiti.
