Discovering Tut

 Short Answers

1. Why was Tutankhamun’s death considered a mystery?
   → Because he died unexpectedly at a young age, and scientists were uncertain whether it was due to illness, accident, or murder.
2. What efforts were made to preserve Tut’s mummy?
   → Carter’s team carefully removed the mummy from the coffin, cut it into pieces when it got stuck due to resins, and later reassembled and preserved it in a climate-controlled glass case.
3. What new technology was used in Tut’s examination in 2005?
   → A CT scan (computed tomography) machine was used to create detailed three-dimensional images of Tut’s body without disturbing it.
4. Why was Tut’s mummy taken out of the tomb after so many years?
   → To conduct a CT scan to find the cause of his death and to learn more about ancient Egyptian mummification and royal lineage.
5. What difficulties did Carter face while removing Tut’s body from the coffin?
   → The mummy was firmly cemented with hardened resins; to free it, Carter had to cut the body apart and remove the head and limbs separately.
6. What did the CT scan reveal about Tut’s mummy?
   → It showed that Tut was in good health at the time of death, with no evidence of violent injury, though the cause of death still remained uncertain.
7. What was the reaction of the people present when Tut’s face appeared on the computer screen?
   → Everyone grew silent, awed by the sight of the ancient king’s face as it appeared clear and life-like on the screen after centuries.

Long Answer

Q. Describe the efforts made by modern technology to unravel the mystery surrounding King Tut’s death. What were the findings and their significance?

Answer:

King Tutankhamun’s death had long been a subject of speculation—ranging from illness to foul play. In 2005, modern technology was employed to study his mummy without causing damage. A portable CT scan machine was brought to the Valley of the Kings to create 1,700 digital images of the body. These images revealed that Tut was about 19 years old at his death and in good physical condition. Contrary to earlier theories, no evidence of head injury or murder was found. However, the cause of death remained undetermined. The CT scan also helped digitally reconstruct his face, bringing the young pharaoh to life once more. This scientific approach symbolized how technology could bridge the gap between ancient history and modern curiosity, while still respecting cultural and historical heritage.

Extract-Based Question

Read the extract and answer the following questions:

“The mummy is in very bad condition because of what Carter did in the 1920s,” said Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, as he leaned over the body for a long first look. Carter—Howard Carter, that is — was the British archaeologist who in 1922 discovered Tut’s tomb after years of futile searching.”

(a) Who was Howard Carter?

→ He was a British archaeologist who discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.

(b) Why did he cut Tut’s body into pieces?

→ Because the resins used to embalm the body had hardened, making it impossible to remove the jewellery without damaging the mummy.

(c) What does this act reveal about the approach of early archaeologists?

→ It shows that they were more focused on material treasures than on preserving the historical integrity of the remains.