King Tutankhamens Tomb

What do the contents of King Tutankhamens tomb tell us about life in ancient Egypt?
The pharaoh Tutankhamen died around 1323 BCE at the age of 19. His reign aspharaoh lasted
less than 10 years. Why, then, is this Boy King so well known?
Tutankhamen is best known for the treasures found in his tomb and what they have taught us
about life in ancient Egypt. Most of the Egyptian tombs archaeologists find have been broken
into by grave robbers who have stolen most of the contents of the tombs. But the entrance to
Tutenkhamens tomb remained hidden for centuries. When British archaeologist Howard Carter
discovered Tutankhamens tomb in 1923, everything was still inside.
As my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room within emerged slowly from the
mist, strange animals, statues, and goldeverywhere the glint of gold.
Howard Carter, The Tomb of Tutankhamen
The tomb held gold, silver, jewelry, and statues of finely carved alabaster. There were chariots
and barges for the pharaoh to use on trips during the afterlife. There were bottles filled with
perfumes and chests filled with clothing and food. There were games to keep the king
entertained. Tweezers, razors, toothbrushes, and cosmetics showed how Egyptians groomed
themselves. Boxes were filled with medicinal plants and magical charms believed to have
healing powers. The walls were painted with scenes of the pharaoh enjoying his new life in the
underworld.
Tutankhamens tomb and the artifacts within were a significant archaeological find. The artifacts
in the tomb provided hints as to what life in ancient Egypt was like. The games and personal
items the archaeologists found provided insights into the culture and daily habits of Egyptians.
Historians obtained an understanding of Egyptians' technical skill and scientific knowledge from
items such as boats and medicinal plants.
Egyptians believed that when they died, they went to an afterlife that was similar to their life on
Earth. They believed they would still need material goods, such as food and clothing, so they
filled their tombs with everything they would need. The items inside the tomb have provided
historians with insights into Egyptians art and culture, technological and scientific knowledge,
and day-to-day habits.
Medical Discoveries
What did the Egyptians know about medicine?

Like many early civilizations, ancient Egyptians believed that illness was caused by evil spirits.
They often used rituals to try to cure the sick. But Egyptian doctors also used herbal remedies
and scientific treatments to treat specific symptoms.
They used medicinal plants and herbs, made people drink teas made with insect parts, and
rubbed animal dung on wounds. Doctors used a lot of trial and error when treating patients. They
slowly learned which methods worked and which did not. The doctors kept careful records of
what they tried and what worked.

Some doctors were also surgeons. They specialized in treating eyes and stomach diseases.
Because Egypt is in a desert, the food had a lot of sand in it. That meant many Egyptians had
very poor teeth, so there were also doctors who specialized in treating teeth.
Egyptian doctors used their skills on the living and the dead. Doctors mummified bodies,
preserving them for the afterlife. To do this, they needed to remove the heart, lungs, kidney, and
brain. For this reason, the physicians knowledge of anatomy, the inside of the human body, was
very good. The drawings Egyptian physicians made are as detailed and accurate as those in some
modern-day medical textbooks. Recent X-rays of some mummies show that ancient Egyptian
doctors set broken bones as well as doctors in modern emergency rooms.
Because of their knowledge and skill, Egyptian physicians were highly
respected.Pharaohs sometimes sent their doctors to treat important members of friendly nations.
Egyptian doctors were sent to teach in Greece and other places around theMediterranean Sea.
The Architecture of the Pyramids
How did the pyramids influence architecture?

The pyramids are the best known symbols of ancient Egypt. Architects, draftspeople, and
contractors invented the solutions to difficult problems they encountered while building the
pyramids. They created the square base as the foundation of pyramids, developed an
understanding of angles, and created a basic system of measurement. These ancient Egyptian
techniques have been used for every building project since then, from adding a deck to a house to
constructing a skyscraper. Some of their methods remain a mystery, even today!
The Egyptians made their pyramids, temples, and public buildings on a very large scale. This
showed how important these structures and the rituals and proceedings that occurred there were
to the ancient Egyptians. Large open areas usually surrounded those buildings. The buildings
were used for public meetings, ceremonies, and festivals. Today, many government buildings,
civic centers, and important places of worship are designed in a similar style.
Trade Networks
How did Egyptian innovations spread throughout the world?
Ancient Egyptian merchants used trade networks to ship their goods throughout the ancient
world. They would export goods they wanted to sell and import goods they needed from other
nations. Egyptian caravans crossed deserts to cities in the modern-day countries of Libya,
Afghanistan, and Iran. Egyptians also traveled across the sea to trade.
The Egyptians used cedar planks they received in trades with other civilizations to build ships
that could safely cross the Mediterranean Sea. The pieces of cedar wood were tied together with
reeds and then covered with pitch. Egyptian ships had both oars, as many as 20 a side on larger
ships, and sails to help them navigate the vast open waters. These merchant ships visited Crete,
Greece, and Lebanon. Some of the cities the Egyptian merchants visited connected with other
trade routes that went to India and Asia.

At first, trading occurred mainly between rulers. The pharaohs sent gifts of grain, pottery, dried
fish, linen, and gold to rulers they wanted to impress or put in their debt. In return, those rulers
sent gifts or payment of wood, livestock, and gems that were not found in Egypt.
The pharaoh Hatshepsut, who was one of the few women to rule Egypt, led a trading expedition
to the distant land of Punt in modern-day Ethiopia and Djibouti.
As they traded, Egyptians brought their innovations to other civilizations. Merchants used the
standard weights and measurements of Egypt to ensure fair trading. They also recorded their
trades on papyrus using their system of writing. Many of these innovations were adopted by
other civilizations and then adapted to fit their own needs.
Conquest also played a role in Egyptian influence. Egypt engaged in many wars. It had a strong,
well-trained, and well-equipped army and conquered its immediate neighbors. Egyptian
administrators controlled the government and economy of the conquered lands. Rulers had to
promise to obey Egyptian laws. Their sons were sent to Egypt as hostages to make sure these
rulers obeyed. The sons were educated at the Egyptian court and returned to help run their
homelands in the Egyptian way.
With its innovations in art, architecture, trading, and technology, the legacy of ancient Egypt
extends to today.