Who Was Tutankhamun? The Boy King, Explained
He ruled for less than a decade and died young, yet Tutankhamun is the most famous pharaoh of all. Here's why.
Tutankhamun ruled Egypt for only about nine years and died in his late teens, more than 3,300 years ago. By the standards of the great pharaohs he was minor. So why is he the most famous of them all? The answer is one of the greatest discoveries in history.
A short, mysterious life Tutankhamun, often called the boy king, came to the throne as a child around 1332 BC. He reversed his predecessor's religious revolution and restored the old gods, but died young, possibly from illness or injury. For thousands of years he was almost forgotten.
The discovery that changed everything In 1922, the British archaeologist Howard Carter found Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings, and it was nearly intact, something virtually unheard of. Most royal tombs had been emptied by robbers in antiquity. This one was packed with thousands of objects: chariots, jewellery, furniture and, most famously, the solid gold funerary mask that became the face of ancient Egypt.
The famous gold mask That mask, with its serene expression and striped headdress, is one of the most recognisable objects on Earth. It and the full collection are now displayed together at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which we cover in our <a href="/blog/grand-egyptian-museum-guide">GEM visitor guide</a>.
Why he still captivates us Tutankhamun matters less for what he did and more for what he left behind: an unmatched window into the wealth, craftsmanship and beliefs of ancient Egypt. Standing before his treasures, or visiting his actual tomb in the Valley of the Kings, is a highlight of any trip.
You can see both on our tours. Have a look at our Cairo Highlights Escape or browse all our Egypt tours.