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The Secret Of Tutankhamen’ Mummy
Egypt inspires a traveler with awe and admiration. It is not only known for its historical civilization but also because of innumerable secrets beneath its monuments, historian, archeologists and scientists are still uncertain about the purpose of erecting pyramids and mummies.
The most bewildering and baffling mummy is of Tutankhamen. Twelve centuries after the rule of Pharaoh Cheops, Tutankhamen became the ruler. His mummy is as mysterious as the construction of pyramids.
The first one to enter inside the mausoleum were Cartar and Karnakhan – the two American archeologists. They discovered four graves. On the first grave, artistic designs were made out of gold and on other two graves pictures of Gods and Goddesses were found. This was done, perhaps, to protect the dead. In the fourth grave was kept the dead body of Tutankhamen. His 3,500 years’ old mummy was found inside three coffins. The body was decorated with gold ornaments. An iron pillow was kept below the head and well-decorated mask depicted the artistic maturity the civilization had attained.
There were other precious articles too in the grave – green glass, Neelam and Cornelian necklace. The fingers of both the hands were decorated with rings. There were five rings in the right hand and eight rings in the left hand. On the waist was the gold in which sword was hanging. Besides all this, the coffin was full of precious gems and stones. In fact, Tutankhamen’s body was decorated with 143 articles.
So far the discovery spoke of the artistic traditions of the civilization. But the intriguing mystery is of the 150 amulets, which were found in the mummy wrapping of Tutankhamen. The second interesting point, which arouses is why did Tutankhamen’s mummy decay?
The 150 discovered amulets are the specimen of highly developed artistic tradition as well as they highlight the mysterious incomprehensible tradition of the Egyptians. The two well known amulets are ‘Eyes of Horous’ and ‘Buckle of Isis’ but most important amulet is Scarab – a symbol of life and dedicated to ‘Ra’-the Sun God. The Scarab was placed on the heart of the dead body before burying. It had magical spell carved on its back – a request to God for immortality. As Scarab was in the shape of dung beetle, gradually, the latter become associated with the Scarab’s power and infertile women began using it frequently in the hope of getting a child. The ‘ankh’, a cross with a ringed head appeared as frequently as Scarab and perhaps symbolized life and immortality.
Out of 150 amulets discovered on the body of Tutankhamen, historians have been able to decode the meaning of these three only. Horus and Isis also symbolized God. Horus was the God who weighed dead man’s heart before pronouncing the final decision about him.
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How strongly did the Egyptians believe in the power of their amulets and the reality of the life after death is evident from their mummies. But as far as Tutankhamen’s mummy matters it has given rise to another mystery – why did Tutankhamen’s mummy decay? There are so many mummies, much older than Tutankhamen’s which have not yet decayed. Then, why this? This is the question, which various historians ask.According to some scholars the practice of rubbing oil on the dead body proved to be fatal. The scholars assume with time as oil penetrated deep into skin, it automatically ruined the skin. But they haven’t been able to prove it scientifically.Meanwhile, archeologists have found immense wealth in this mummy. With the precious gems and stones they have also found a well-decorated throne, decoration pieces, artistic wood articles and a sculpture of Tutankhamen’s queen. |
The throne carved with gold and diamonds attracted many archeologists before the two Americans seep inside. And unfortunately, all other (20 in number) died midway in mysterious circumstances. The reason for their death has not been known till this day. The two successful Americans did not find anything dangerous in the tomb.If the mysterious cause for Tutankhamen’s mummy getting spoiled is unraveled, perhaps, the world will also know the secret of mummies construction. But till now archeologists know nothing about it.