On this date, 101 years ago, archaeologists revealed the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun after uncovering his sarcophagus in a concealed tomb that had remained untouched for over three millennia, igniting a century of media coverage and public interest.

It was January 3, 1924, more than a year after the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, that British archaeologist Howard Carter and his excavation team finally found the ruler’s sarcophagus. This sarcophagus was among the thousands of artifacts hidden within the tomb. The stone sarcophagus housed three gold coffins nested within one another, the innermost of which was made of solid gold and contained Tutankhamun’s mummified body, as reported by History.com.

The tomb of Tutankhamun was first accessed by archaeologists in November 1922, after Carter had spent years searching through the “Valley of the Kings” for a tomb yet to be discovered. Despite fearing there would be nothing to find, he chose to dig beneath the ancient huts where tomb builders had once lived, soon discovering a concealed entrance to Tutankhamun’s final resting place. It was the most well-preserved pharaoh’s tomb ever discovered, providing historians with valuable knowledge about ancient burial practices, according to National Geographic.

This discovery ignited a history of exploration by Egyptologists and a consistent public fascination with the king, his burial site, and the treasures contained within. Research continues regarding questions surrounding the cause of Tutankhamun’s death, possible additional burials near his tomb, and the mysterious legend of the curse associated with his burial site.

Who was King Tut?

Tutankhamun, commonly known as “King Tut” today, reigned from approximately 1332 B.C. until his death around 1323 B.C.

Ascending to the throne as a child, his reign was brief, lasting less than ten years, and he died in his late teens. Tutankhamun was the offspring of Akhenaten, who introduced monotheism and a lesser-known deity into the Egyptian pantheon; King Tut later reversed these changes, according to Scientific American.

When was his tomb discovered?

Carter’s extensive search finally bore fruit in November 1922 when he and his team found a step leading down to the tomb entrance, which was obscured by debris from an adjacent tomb.

“Discovered tomb under tomb of Ramsses VI investigated same & found seals intact,” Carter noted on November 5, 1922.

This marked the beginning of extensive excavations and artifact recoveries, ultimately leading to the discovery of the sarcophagus.

On January 3, 1924, Carter recorded in his diary:

“After a bit of trouble due to the varying sizes and levels of the shrines, we were  able to open the doors of the innermost (fourth) shrine which revealed the pristine end of a stunning crystalline sandstone sarcophagus intact”

What treasures were discovered inside the tomb?

Over 5,000 artifacts were uncovered alongside the king’s remains, which included furniture, jewelry, food, weaponry, chariots, and more. Among the findings were the mummified remains of Tutankhamun’s stillborn children, sealed in two small coffins.

Notably, one of the daggers found in the tomb was made from iron that had originated from a meteorite, as researchers confirmed in 2016.

Unlike other tombs that had been excavated, Tutankhamun’s tomb remained fairly intact after being hidden for centuries. It was also smaller than those of other pharaohs, which raised questions among researchers. The fact that he died at around 19 years old might have contributed to this; if his death was sudden, the plans for a larger tomb may not have been finalized, leading to his burial in an available tomb that might have been intended for someone else.

What is the curse associated with Tutankhamun’s tomb?

Many believe in a curse that would affect anyone who disturbs a mummy, as noted by National Geographic. However, this famous curse drew significant attention after the discovery of an intact tomb.

Shortly after the tomb’s unveiling, George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert, the earl of Carnarvon who funded the expedition, passed away unexpectedly, as reported by National Geographic. His death was attributed to pre-existing medical issues. Of the 26 individuals who were present during the tomb’s opening, six died within ten years, according to the same source.

Some research has suggested a scientific reason behind these events, as reported by the Washington Post: mold found within ancient Egyptian tombs.