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KING TUT’S TOMB: A LAST MINUTE
EFFORT
It has often been said that King Tut’s tomb was fabricated at the last minute
due to the size of the tomb and the minimal wall paintings within the inside
structure. This was a time after all, when most pharaohs spent a lifetime
creating the perfect tomb that would house and protect their mummies into
the afterlife. To illustrate the obsession for great tomb structures by
pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, some were built over many years and
incorporated a lot of manpower to complete; some took 20 years or more.
The labor force, comprised of skilled artisans and builders, had to be
astronomical and most probably worked around the clock to create and
complete these super structures. It also took an abundant amount of Egypt’s
wealth to get these finished.
Some more modern tombs during the New Kingdom show elaborate
chambers that were dug beneath the ground into the Valley of the Kings.
Just as the pyramids, these tombs also took a lifetime to create and were
just as grand. Yet, King Tut’s tomb was merely comprised of four small
chambers: the antechamber, the annex, the burial chamber, and the
treasury room. Modest as it was in comparison to the more noted pharaohs
such as Seti I, Ramses II or Khufu, it still produced one of the greatest
treasures found and continues to give modern man a great insight into the
actual world of the pharaohs. But, the lack of construction for this particular
tomb in comparison to other pharaohs still leaves many unanswered
questions.
THE EVIDENCE SPEAKS CLEARLY
King Tut was a child when he was given the throne and died around 18 or 19
years of age. His death was unexpected; or at least it appears to be so by
his quickly devised tomb structure. Due to the Ancient Egyptian’s belief
system, it was important the body be mummified and protected. This was
done so the pharaoh’s spirit would be able to recognize his body. King Tut’s
tomb, like all royal tombs, held items the king would need in his journey in
the afterlife. This included items such as furniture, food, clothing, games,
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and jewelry. The amount of preparation work needed for a perfect tomb took
a great deal of time and planning but it appears that, although a substantial
amount of items were found, it does not compare to some of the other
pharaohs of Ancient Egypt.
Due to the sudden death of Tutankhamun (King Tut), it was believed that
probably not enough time was available to properly finish King Tut’s tomb.
Instead, it was believed that the tomb that was appointed to him was that of
his vizier Ay (Aye). This was made apparent through the tomb’s size as most
kings had larger and more elaborate tombs compared to King Tut. Not only
was the tomb considered to be on the smaller side, but the burial chamber
was the only room that had been painted within the structure. This
conceivable late-planning tactic was further reaffirmed as the tomb only had
a few large figures painted on the walls. These paintings showcased the
pharaoh with his subjects performing the opening of the mouth ceremony.
Finding just these few paintings along the inside walls of a pharaoh’s tomb is
unheard of as most tombs belonging to the elite and the pharaoh class
usually displayed finely detailed murals covering the inside of the tomb and
ceiling. If the artisans had had more time to decorate the tomb’s walls, the
tomb of Tutankhamun may have been dressed up with magical spells,
achievements, and godly depictions. But it wasn’t. Instead, the paintings
were painted large due to a possible intention to cover the walls quickly.
The lack of art within the tomb is not the only sign that the burial may have
been rushed, but the objects found within the tomb reveal a lot as well. For
example, King Tut’s coffins have been a source of ongoing debate over the
years. The second coffin used for the pharaoh has a face that looks different
than the first and third coffin faces. In fact, many Egyptologists believe this
coffin might have been for Smenkhkare, a mysterious pharaoh who ruled
before King Tut.
To add further to this theory, many of the treasures within the tomb were
believed to be for other people. Some experts insist some of the figures of
King Tut look quite feminine and this has led some to believe that some of
the statues might be for Nefertiti (step mother), Kiya (birth mother),
Ankhesenamun (sister and wife), or some of King Tut’s half sisters. Though
this might be highly unlikely, it is still a viable theory due to the sudden
death of the young pharaoh and maybe a rushed burial.
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The final evidence of a last-minute job can be seen in his sarcophagus. It is
now believed the sarcophagus was made for another person but was quickly
altered to accommodate the young pharaoh. Firstly, the lid and body of the
sarcophagus are made from two different types of stones. Secondly, the lid
was found with a crack in the middle and it appears that King Tut’s name
may have been replaced with another. The haphazard way the tomb was put
together does not point to the standard of a pharaoh’s tomb from Ancient
Egypt, and especially because rulers were given god-like status.
A SMALLER TOMB PAYS OFF
Though all pharaohs went to great lengths to ensure their tombs would be
protected, most failed due to tomb robbers and thieves. It is believed that
many of the artisans and officials who looked after the tombs were also the
major culprits in robbing them. But how did King Tut’s tomb escape this
fate? The answer is most likely because it was overshadowed by larger
tombs, such as Ramses VI, and was small in comparison to pharaohs of that
time. This most likely helped secure the tomb until it was discovered.
The tomb probably remained hidden as King Tut had such a short reign and
it could very well be that it was forgotten and was thought to be insignificant
when compared to other pharaohs of that time. He never expanded Egypt’s
boarders or led any major campaigns; therefore, his presence was not as
impressive as other pharaohs before or after him.
It is, however, a great achievement that King Tut’s tomb remained hidden as
now we have a better insight into how a pharaoh of Egypt may have lived.
We can only image what the more powerful pharaohs had buried within their
tombs—especially Ramses II and Seti I.