Tutankhamun, the famous pharaoh of ancient Egypt, is the young king who came to the throne 3300 years ago and is famous for his treasures. His treasures have been attracting people’s attention for over 100 years due to its tragic life story and unsolved mysteries. The upcoming exhibition, “Child King’s Treasures,” opening in Istanbul on January 20, will offer the opportunity to explore Tutankhamun’s belongings and his Ancient Egypt experience. The exhibition will run until the end of March 2023.
Tutankhamun ruled at the end of the 18th dynasty during the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt. He lived between 1332 BC – 1323 BC, ascending the throne at the age of 9 and dying suddenly at the age of 19. Despite many researches made to solve the cause of death, a definitive conclusion has not been reached. Among his grave goods discovered were a solid gold coffin, golden face mask, thrones, trumpets, golden food, wine, sandals, and many other items found in his tomb. The golden mask, known as the “funerary mask,” is among the most magnificent of the items found in the tomb.
The exhibition of Tutankhamun’s treasures has been showcased in many countries, from Asia to Europe since it was discovered. Tutankhamun, Child King’s Treasures Exhibition has traveled the world’s major metropolises for more than 60 years and has garnered more than 40 million visitors. The exhibition, which will be opened in Istanbul, will be presented to the taste of history, culture, and art lovers on the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the treasures in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. One of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, Tutankhamun’s treasure is very popular around the world. The treasure is famous for its wealth and inspiration.
Sharing valuable information about the place and significance of Ancient Egypt and Tutankhamun, one of the most important civilizations in history. In this magnificent civilization, Dr. İlber Ortaylı mentioned the following:
Tutankhamun came to the throne at a tumultuous time in Egyptian history. Tutankhamun’s father, Akhenaten (also known as Amenhotep IV), was a pharaoh of the new 18th dynasty of Egypt. In the 6th year of his reign, he decided to leave Thebes, which had been the capital of Egypt for centuries, and establish a new capital in the untouched lands known today as Tel el Amarna. Akhenaten removed the names of other gods from the temples in order to develop belief in other gods and to establish the Aton religion. Aton is the only god related to the Sun, who is thought to have passed from Babylonia to Egypt. It can be considered the beginning of monotheistic Hebrew religions.
One of the most famous wives of King Akhenaten was the Mitanni princess Nefertiti. After Akhenaten was deposed, one of his sons, Tutankhamun, took the throne at the age of 9. He also died at an early age. During his reign, Egypt reverted to its ancient polytheistic religion. The priests of Amun were also reinstated. But it is a fact that Tutankhamun is the pharaoh we know best because of the discovery of his tomb in the 20th century and the resurrection of Egyptian civilization.
In contrast, the tombs of the kings in Egypt were plundered with nothing belonging to the pharaohs found in them. However, Tutankhamun’s intact tomb is perfectly preserved, and when it was discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922, it held an important position as the only pharaoh whose treasures have survived without his tomb being robbed.
When Pharaoh Tutankhamun died, his body was embalmed within 70 days. The Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt was taken to the cemetery number 69 in Discovery by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922, Tutankhamun’s treasure had a great impact around the world and the artifacts found became symbols of Ancient Egypt. There are exact replicas of 409 works specially selected from the treasure in the exhibition held for Tutankhamun, also known as the ‘Golden King’ because all of the items in his tomb were made of solid gold. These works illuminate many aspects of the history of ancient Egyptian civilization.
During the Children’s Treasure Exhibition, visitors walked through an adorned tent filled with masks, decorated with depictions of Egyptian goddesses Isis, Nephthys, Neith, and Selket, mummys tucked inside the coffin, bedecked with gold, charms, golden throne entwined in the coffin, cheriot, golden throne depicting his love with Tutankhamun’s wife Queen Ankhesenamun, children playing while hunting hippos. There are statues depicting various furniture, horse-drawn carriages, weapons such as bows and arrows, and interesting artifacts such as the “dagger from outer space” made from a meteorite that fell in Anatolia. One of the most intriguing exhibits, which is said to pay a role in Tutankhamun’s death at a young age, was causing him to limp on one of his feet. For this reason, examples of his walking sticks and replicas of hundreds of other pieces, which were astonishing when his grave was found, are on display.
