成人快手

How did Tutankhamun become Pharaoh?

Tutankhamun and his advisers

Pharaohs were the kings of Ancient Egypt. They ruled over the land, collected taxes from the people, enforced the law and led the Egyptian army against invaders.

Tutankhamun, or King Tut as he is also known, was the last of his dynasty of pharaohs.

He ruled as a boy only for a short time. He is most famous because his tomb was discovered almost intact and full of treasures in 1922.

Tutankhamun and his advisers
A Pharaoh.

Tutankhamun became pharaoh after the death of his father Akhenaten. Some people liked how Akhenaten ruled but others didn't. He outlawed all of the gods except for one called Aten.

The people were very unhappy with this change and, after Akhenaten's death, destroyed many of his statues and monuments.

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Watch: Who was Tutankhamun?

Learn about the famous Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun.

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What do we know about Tutankhamun?

Tutankhamun inherited the throne around age 9 and became Pharaoh in around 1332 BC. Because he was so young, he had powerful advisers around him to help him rule Egypt. They included General Horemheb and Grand Vizier Ay.

A large tomb.

Tutankhamun reversed many of his father鈥檚 decisions. People were allowed to worship the old gods again and damaged temples were repaired. He moved the Egyptian capital back to Thebes.

Tutankhamun reigned for roughly 10 years. He died around the age of 18, possibly from malaria, and was buried in a tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Tutankhamun married his half-sister but their children did not survive. He was succeeded by his vizier, Ay.

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Watch: Tutankhamun's tomb

Dan Cruikshank tells the story of Howard Carter's discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb.

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Why is Tutankhamun鈥檚 tomb so famous?

Tutankhamun's tomb was hidden for many centuries. It was covered in debris from other tombs and then hidden by workers' houses.

Howard Carter holding a lamp as he goes into Tutankhamun's tomb.

In 1907 it was declared that there was nothing left to find at the Valley of the Kings but in 1922 the Egyptologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb. On the 17th February, 1923, the seal to the tomb was broken and a living human stepped inside for the first time in 3,200 years.

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What was inside Tutankhamun's tomb?

The tomb contained 5,398 items, including:

  • Tutankhamun鈥檚 famous golden death mask
  • a solid gold coffin
  • thrones
  • trumpets
  • fresh linen
  • a chariot
  • a dagger made from meteorite iron.
Treasure in Tutankhamun's tomb.

It took Howard Carter ten years to catalogue the finds from the tomb. Parts of Tutankhamun鈥檚 chest with a beaded collar were stolen after the discovery, along with his skull cap!

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What did Tutankhamun look like?

Tutankhamun's sarcophagus in a museum.

We know what Tutankhamun looked like because scientists have done experiments on his skull, bones and DNA.
Tutankhamun was slim, 5鈥6鈥 tall with rounded hips, a narrow waist and large front teeth.

Tutankhamun's sarcophagus in a museum.
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Famous Pharoahs

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 4, Pharaoh Hatshepsut of Egypt (1478 - 1458BC), Hatshepsut (1478 - 1458BC) Hatshepsut was the longest reigning female pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. She is considered one of the most successful pharaohs. She commissioned hundreds of grand buildings and established important trade routes.
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Activities

Activity 1: Solve the puzzle

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Activity 2: Quiz 鈥 King Tutankhamun

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Activity 3: Make your own Tutankhamun mask

Download the ancient Egyptian headdress, colour it in and after placing it on your head, declare yourself Pharoah!

Make your own Tutankhamun mask
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Activity 4: History Explorer game

Play this game to test your knowledge and learn even more facts about Ancient Egypt.

History Explorer: Secrets through time

History Explorer: Secrets through time: KS2 History

History Explorer: Secrets through time
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Bitesize Primary games. game

Play fun and educational primary games in science, maths, English, history, geography, art, computing and modern languages.

Bitesize Primary games
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