Researchers from the University of York recently suggested that the famous golden mask of King Tutankhamun might not have been made for him.
The study, led by Professor Joann Fletcher, an expert in Egyptian history, puts forth new theories as to the mask’s original owner. The team believes the mask might have been designed for a high-ranking woman or a young person.
The researchers reviewed old records from the 1922 discovery of King Tut’s tomb, which are stored at Oxford University. They noticed a small detail that had gone overlooked—the mask has holes in its ears.
This feature is unusual for masks made for male pharaohs. Fletcher noted that the face part of the mask is made of a different kind of gold than the rest, which adds to the mystery. These findings are shared in a new documentary by History Hit.
Presence of earring holes on Tutankhamun’s golden mask
The earring holes on King Tutankhamun’s golden mask hint that it may not have been crafted for him. In ancient Egypt, male pharaohs’ masks typically did not include pierced ears. Hence, ear piercings were seen only on masks of women and children.
Moreover, Fletcher pointed out that traces of soldering are visible on the mask. The individual to whom the mask initially belonged could have had pierced ears and possibly even have been a woman.
British Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves once proposed that King Tutankhamun’s golden mask was initially meant for Queen Nefertiti, his stepmother. In 2015, Reeves pointed to the mask’s “feminine appearance,” noting its resemblance to Nefertiti’s iconic bust.
Today's Research:
Archaeologists believed King Tutankhamun's golden mask was made of a single piece until they X-rayed it.
The mask was welded so precisely that the contacts were not visible.
The Egyptian's skill & knowledge of allies and welding were more advanced than thought. pic.twitter.com/mypwxn1SWX— J.F. Lawrence | Author (Jesse) (@jflWrites) October 6, 2024
Reeves argued that the mask was likely reused for Tutankhamun because of the urgency surrounding his burial. He suggested that the gold covering was crafted for Nefertiti but, due to time constraints, was quickly adapted for the young pharaoh’s final rites.
Tutankhamun ascended to the throne at 9 years old
Tutankhamun, an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, became king at just nine years old and died unexpectedly at around 18 or 19, leaving little time to prepare for an elaborate burial.
Because of his sudden passing, some historians think the court had to rely on items readily available for his funeral, including a mask that may have originally belonged to someone else.
Evidence shows that parts of the mask were “fitted” to Tutankhamun; differences in the gold layers hint that it was adapted from another’ individual’s mask.
When archaeologist Carter uncovered Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, he noticed “holes” in the mask but did not investigate this. His report, cited by Professor Fletcher, simply noted he only “drew attention to one feature that had long been overlooked…clearly pierced ears.”
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