Tutankhamun's Jewelry
Published On: 11-14-2011 08:47pm
Comments: 1 - Hits: 309
Category: Egypt
For Ancient Egyptians, the meaning of life was simple: to prepare for death. Immortality was a lifelong goal, and the wealthy elite spent much time and effort planning their own burials. Pharaohs typically began construction on their tombs as soon as they took the throne, so that they would be ready to take their place with the gods in the afterlife.
Although we may never know whether or not these kings made it to the realm of Osiris, many of them did achieve immortality by leaving their mark on the world. Their tombs and the many treasures within have allowed them to be resurrected and admired around the world.
The most famous royal tomb is that of the young Pharaoh Tutankhamun, son of the heretic king Akhenaten and one of his secondary wives. Because Tutankhamun died unexpectedly at the age of 18, he was not buried in the typical lavish royal tomb. Instead, his preserved body and possessions were taken to a small private tomb in the royal necropolis, or Valley of the Kings. In ancient times, this cemetery for the elite was called The Great and Majestic Necropolis of the Millions of Years of the Pharaoh, Life, Strength, Health in The West of Thebes.
Despite the belief of most archaeologists and Egyptologists that the Valley of the Kings had been exhausted by 1912, Howard Carter pressed on under the sponsorship of Lord Carnarvon. In 1922, his perseverance was rewarded when he discovered the nearly intact treasures of the Pharaoh who would come to be known as “the boy king”.
Over 5000 objects were uncovered in the tomb, which had been sealed and forgotten for 3000 years. It is believed that tomb robbers were able to enter the tomb at least twice, almost immediately after Tutankhamun was interred. The haphazard way in which the contents of the rooms are piled suggests not only looting, but that at least some of the robbers were stopped, and the artifacts were hastily replaced.
Among the great and varied possessions found in the tomb, such as weapons, clothing, foods, and furniture, there were also many pieces of jewelry. Some may have been purely ceremonial, while others show signs of wear that indicate they may have been used by the Pharaoh in his daily life.
Though hundreds of jewels were found in the tomb, it is possible that 60% of the original pieces were stolen in Ancient times, because they would have been the easiest to carry out of the sepulchre. Of those left behind, 143 were buried within the Pharaoh’s sarcophagus. These jewels and adornments helped to ensure the king’s immortality, and were part of the burial ritual. An excerpt from The Book of the Dead reads:
“This chapter shall be recited over a carnelian loop, which will have lain in the water of Ankham flowers, inlaid in a sycamore-wood tablet. On the day of the funeral, this tablet shall be placed around the deceased’s neck. Once this had been done, the power of Isis will protect the limbs of the deceased…”
Some of the jewels were hastily and clumsily crafted, perhaps because of the sudden death of the Pharaoh. The most beautiful and elaborate pieces appear to be from his personal collection, such as the famous gold cloisonné falcon earrings.
The body of a falcon with a blue glass duck head is decorated with many colors of glass inlay. The intricate earring posts also have personalized glass buttons depicting the king, and the symbol of Pharaoh’s power - the uraeus cobra, protector of Lower Egypt and embodiment of the goddess Wadjet.
Bracelet Inspired by Tutankhamun's Falcon Earrings
Thanks to these magnificent artifacts, and the dedication of Howard Carter and his team, the spirit of Tutankhamun remains after thousands of years.
-Mortira
Copyright 2011 The Sage's Cupboard ---- Follow This Blog
Find me on: Facebook and Twitter
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Although we may never know whether or not these kings made it to the realm of Osiris, many of them did achieve immortality by leaving their mark on the world. Their tombs and the many treasures within have allowed them to be resurrected and admired around the world.
The most famous royal tomb is that of the young Pharaoh Tutankhamun, son of the heretic king Akhenaten and one of his secondary wives. Because Tutankhamun died unexpectedly at the age of 18, he was not buried in the typical lavish royal tomb. Instead, his preserved body and possessions were taken to a small private tomb in the royal necropolis, or Valley of the Kings. In ancient times, this cemetery for the elite was called The Great and Majestic Necropolis of the Millions of Years of the Pharaoh, Life, Strength, Health in The West of Thebes.
Despite the belief of most archaeologists and Egyptologists that the Valley of the Kings had been exhausted by 1912, Howard Carter pressed on under the sponsorship of Lord Carnarvon. In 1922, his perseverance was rewarded when he discovered the nearly intact treasures of the Pharaoh who would come to be known as “the boy king”.
Over 5000 objects were uncovered in the tomb, which had been sealed and forgotten for 3000 years. It is believed that tomb robbers were able to enter the tomb at least twice, almost immediately after Tutankhamun was interred. The haphazard way in which the contents of the rooms are piled suggests not only looting, but that at least some of the robbers were stopped, and the artifacts were hastily replaced.
Among the great and varied possessions found in the tomb, such as weapons, clothing, foods, and furniture, there were also many pieces of jewelry. Some may have been purely ceremonial, while others show signs of wear that indicate they may have been used by the Pharaoh in his daily life.
Though hundreds of jewels were found in the tomb, it is possible that 60% of the original pieces were stolen in Ancient times, because they would have been the easiest to carry out of the sepulchre. Of those left behind, 143 were buried within the Pharaoh’s sarcophagus. These jewels and adornments helped to ensure the king’s immortality, and were part of the burial ritual. An excerpt from The Book of the Dead reads:
“This chapter shall be recited over a carnelian loop, which will have lain in the water of Ankham flowers, inlaid in a sycamore-wood tablet. On the day of the funeral, this tablet shall be placed around the deceased’s neck. Once this had been done, the power of Isis will protect the limbs of the deceased…”
Some of the jewels were hastily and clumsily crafted, perhaps because of the sudden death of the Pharaoh. The most beautiful and elaborate pieces appear to be from his personal collection, such as the famous gold cloisonné falcon earrings.
The body of a falcon with a blue glass duck head is decorated with many colors of glass inlay. The intricate earring posts also have personalized glass buttons depicting the king, and the symbol of Pharaoh’s power - the uraeus cobra, protector of Lower Egypt and embodiment of the goddess Wadjet.
Bracelet Inspired by Tutankhamun's Falcon Earrings
Thanks to these magnificent artifacts, and the dedication of Howard Carter and his team, the spirit of Tutankhamun remains after thousands of years.
-Mortira
Copyright 2011 The Sage's Cupboard ---- Follow This Blog
Find me on: Facebook and Twitter
Like Handmade? Join ArtFire to get your own store and built-in blog!
By Guest on 05/09/2012 @ 10:57am
yo this was cool