Explain What Tutankhamun’s Tomb and Its Contents Reveal About the Role of a New Kingdom Pharaoh
With reference to Sources A, B, C and D and other archaeological evidence: Explain what Tutankhamun’s tomb and its contents reveal about the role of a New Kingdom Pharaoh.
The tomb of King Tutankhamun was discovered in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter. Many secrets were revealed about the life of Tutankhamun and his role as a New Kingdom pharaoh through the contents found in his tomb. As well as being the ruler of Egypt, Tutankhamun took on many other roles and responsibilities. The vast amount of treasures and wall paintings in his tomb, provide sufficient evidence as to what kinds of roles and responsibilities were expected of the young King.
Over three thousand items were placed in Tutankhamun’s tomb, some of which revealed important information on Tutankhamun’s different roles as a pharaoh. Source B shows a gilded statue of the pharaoh standing on a boat with a spear in his hand, preparing to harpoon a hippopotamus. This source is a representation of Tutankhamun’s role as a lawmaker and judge. The pharaoh is represented as the incarnation of the god Horus, who according to legend, fought in the swamps against the evil god Seth. Seth is the ancient Egyptian god of chaos, who was transformed into a hippopotamus and was finally defeated. As pharaoh of Egypt, Tutankhamun was responsible for maintaining ma’at. Ma'at was the ancient Egyptian concept of truth, balance, order, law, morality, and justice, which was essentially an equilibrium in which there was a balance of good and bad in the world. In this sculpture, the spearing of the hippopotamus represents Tutankhamun standing against the powers of chaos that threaten Egypt’s stability. The pharaoh was considered an earthly god, who interpreted the concept of ma’at for the living. By spearing the hippopotamus, Tutankhamun is fighting against evil to preserve and sustain ma’at and restoring justice through the elimination of evil.
A large wooden chest, found in the antechamber of the tomb,
The tomb of King Tutankhamun was discovered in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter. Many secrets were revealed about the life of Tutankhamun and his role as a New Kingdom pharaoh through the contents found in his tomb. As well as being the ruler of Egypt, Tutankhamun took on many other roles and responsibilities. The vast amount of treasures and wall paintings in his tomb, provide sufficient evidence as to what kinds of roles and responsibilities were expected of the young King.
Over three thousand items were placed in Tutankhamun’s tomb, some of which revealed important information on Tutankhamun’s different roles as a pharaoh. Source B shows a gilded statue of the pharaoh standing on a boat with a spear in his hand, preparing to harpoon a hippopotamus. This source is a representation of Tutankhamun’s role as a lawmaker and judge. The pharaoh is represented as the incarnation of the god Horus, who according to legend, fought in the swamps against the evil god Seth. Seth is the ancient Egyptian god of chaos, who was transformed into a hippopotamus and was finally defeated. As pharaoh of Egypt, Tutankhamun was responsible for maintaining ma’at. Ma'at was the ancient Egyptian concept of truth, balance, order, law, morality, and justice, which was essentially an equilibrium in which there was a balance of good and bad in the world. In this sculpture, the spearing of the hippopotamus represents Tutankhamun standing against the powers of chaos that threaten Egypt’s stability. The pharaoh was considered an earthly god, who interpreted the concept of ma’at for the living. By spearing the hippopotamus, Tutankhamun is fighting against evil to preserve and sustain ma’at and restoring justice through the elimination of evil.
A large wooden chest, found in the antechamber of the tomb,
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