Beginning in the 12th century, Arab physicians began to prescribe their patients a most unorthodox remedy: the ground remains of mummies procured from Egyptian tombs.
Mummy powder proved so profitable that soon after its introduction, Egyptian tombs were ransacked not only for the riches they might contain, but also for bodies that might be processed into the expensive folk medicine. It wasn’t long before the practice of applying mummy powder was incorporated into medieval Europe’s catalog of dubious medical practices. By the 16th century, the product had become so commonplace in both Europe and the Middle East that the once seemingly endless supply of authentic, mummified Egyptian cadavers quite literally dried up.
Mummy powder, however, was not the only everyday use of the Egyptian dead that arose before the dawn of modern archaeological preservation. In the 16th and 17th centuries, pulverized mummy was the key ingredient in a popular shade of brown artist’s pigment, and preserved human and animal remains of Egyptian origin were used in the production of this “mummy brown” paint until the early 20th century.
Whether this statement was merely jest on the part of the American literary icon, well known for his sense of humor, has been the subject of debate ever since it was published. What is known, however, is that the supply of authentic Egyptian corpses by the beginning of the 1800s was so small only that upper crust Europeans could afford to purchase one whole. In the wake of Napoleon’s conquest of Egypt, it became vogue amongst the aristocracy to hold “unwrapping parties,” where carefully preserved corpses would be haphazardly stripped of their bandages, so that revelers could gaze upon the millennia-old face concealed beneath them. Small burial ornaments concealed in the linens would then be dispensed to partygoers as souvenirs, while exposure to air caused the delicate bodies to crumble into dust, never to be seen again.
The story of King Tut is filled with intrigue, lost tombs, forgotten bloodlines and ancient curses. The historical facts are a little less dramatic but no less entertaining. Because when the young Mr. Carter found the tomb, lost for three thousand years to the Egyptian sands, he sparked an interest in Egyptology and all things Egyptian which have not left us till this day.
“At first I could see nothing, the hot air escaping from the chamber causing the candle flame to flicker, but presently, as my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room within emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, statues, and gold - everywhere the glint of gold.”-Howard Carter
It was Theodore Davis, an American tourist and archeology enthusiast that first found clues to Tut-Ankh-Amun’s existence. Stolen goods from the lost tomb showed up among other funerary objects and were marked with Tut’s seal. Tutankhamen’s name sparked the interest of Davis’s assistant Howard Carter. Carter, little more than a glorified copyist of Ancient Egyptian objects at the time, decided further investigation was necessary.
Many fruitless digging seasons would pass before Carter would find the prize of a lifetime. The sponsor of his investigations, the Earl of Carnarvon, was growing tired with the lack of progress in the search for Tut’s tomb. Carter had one more chance to find the lost royal.
It was late November in 1922, 13 years after Tut’s name first began showing up on the Egyptology circuit, that Carter broke through the plaster that hid the wonder of Tutankhamen’s final resting place. The find was one of the richest and most intact ancient Egyptian artifacts ever discovered, making headlines across the world. That day led to decades of study and speculation, inspired the art deco movement, improved archeological techniques and inspired a post war generation weary of strife and conflict.
Despite being robbed at least twice in ancient times, the cramped quarters were filled to the brim with funerary objects, canopic jars, treasure chests, golden furniture, pottery, jewelry; even a chariot or two. It would take a decade to fully catalog the items which still make onlookers gasp in awe. The discovery would be Carter’s first and last as he spent the remainder of his days studying his findings and collecting more art and artifacts of that inspiring time of human history.
The name Tutankhamen means the living embodiment of Amun. Amun was known as the king of the Gods and King Tut adopted this name after he became ruler of Egypt in 1334 BCE. His given name was Tutankhaten. At nine years old, already married, Tut would begin his reign of approximately nine years with guardians and overseers interfering with the running of his kingdom.
Adding greatly to the architecture of the temples at both Karnak and Luxor, Tutankhamen was a lover of fine things, art and hunting. It was a peaceful reign. At the tender age of 18, Tut was dead. Whether from the hands of an enemy (or ally) or as the result of an accident, a broken leg and a piece of bone in his brain caused the demise of the king. Usurpers and jealous Egyptians erased much of Tut’s existence from the pages of history. Fortunately they left just enough to ensure his immortality.
Ancient Egypt Store
King Tutankhamun Hunting Statue
King Tutankhamun & Wife Ankhesenamun
Large coffin of King Tutankhamun with small King Tut inside
Set of Canopic Jars
Even today, the boy king lies ever in state, resting comfortably inside his original tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Visitors are ushered into the small compartment to view the casket and pay respects by the reverend locals, keepers of the tomb. His gold outer casket and the fineries of Carter’s find are on semi-permanent display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, many hundreds of mile to the North. But the mummified remains stay close to home paying homage to the rich past of ancient Egypt and providing Luxor, the modern Mecca of history its crowning attraction.
Tags: 1334 BCE, 1922, Amun, ancient egypt, Ancient Egypt Store, Archaeology, art deco, Cairo, canopic jars, Carter, Davis, Egypt, Egyptian Gods, egyptology, Excavation of King Tut's tomb, funerary objects, golden furniture, Howard Carter, jewelry, Karnak, King Tut, King Tut Death Mask, King Tutankhamun, King Tutankhamun & Wife Ankhesenamun, King Tutankhamun Hunting Statue, Large coffin of King Tutankhamun with small King Tut inside, Luxor, pottery, Set of Canopic Jars, Theodore Davis, treasure chests, Tutankhamen, Tutankhaten
