Did we miss something? Intriguing clue on Tutankhamun’s death mask may reveal new secrets
Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Tut’s Mask Mystery
King Tutankhamun’s iconic death mask may not have been crafted for him at all. Researchers from the University of York suggest it was initially intended for a high-status female or child, likely due to the mask’s pierced ears.
Rushed Burial
Professor Joann Fletcher believes Tutankhamun’s burial was hurried, evident in the black blotches on the tomb walls—signs the paint hadn’t dried before the tomb was sealed.
Nefertiti’s Mask?
Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves proposed in 2015 that the mask might have originally been designed for Queen Nefertiti, Tut’s stepmother, whose tomb remains undiscovered.
Golden Clues
Fletcher observed differences in gold quality between Tut’s mask face and the rest, hinting it was modified. She suggests the mask was adapted to fit the young king after his sudden death.
Unmatched Design
Tut’s mask stands out with ear piercings—a feature exclusive to masks of queens and children. Famed pharaohs like Ramses II and Amenhotep III had no such modification.
Health Challenges
Tutankhamun, plagued with health issues, likely had a clubfoot, cleft palate, and bone disease. He died at 19, possibly from an infection linked to a broken leg.
Mask’s Importance
In ancient Egypt, death masks helped a pharaoh’s soul recognize their body. Pharaohs’ masks were often crafted from gold, while commoners had wooden or clay masks.
Tomb of Ay
Fletcher notes the size and design of Tut’s tomb resemble those of Ay, his successor, suggesting Tut’s burial site wasn’t his intended resting place.
Unresolved Enigma
The unusual details, such as the ear piercings and rushed tomb, continue to fuel theories around Tutankhamun’s burial, casting a shadow of mystery over the young pharaoh’s final resting place.