The ears on King Tutankhamun’s golden mask are important evidence that the mask may have originally been used for Queen Nefertiti.
Golden death mask in King Tutankhamun’s tomb. Image: Hannes Magerstaedt
King Tutankhamun’s famous golden death mask was most likely not made for him, according to a research team at the University of York. When re-examining the mask, experts discovered a number of unusual elements that showed that the item was originally made for a high-status woman or child. This hypothesis originates from the details of the ear, All that is interesting reported on November 11.
After King Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered in 1922 by archaeologist Howard Carter, the young king became perhaps the most famous figure in ancient Egyptian history. Researchers continuously examine his tomb, mummy and mask. However, the new study focuses on an overlooked detail: the hole in the mask’s ear. Ears are an unusual detail for an adult king in ancient Egypt. This strange detail prompted university researchers to take a closer look.
According to the head of the research team, Professor Joann Fletcher, an expert in ancient Egyptian history, the mask did not make the pharaoh grow up. His team discovered it was made from a completely different type of gold than the coffin. They also found evidence that King Tutankhamun’s face was grafted onto the mask of the previous ruler. Because of the ears, this person could be a woman. Fletcher speculates that it is Queen Nefertiti.
Similar hypotheses have been raised before. In 2015, British Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves suggested that King Tutankhamun’s mask was originally made for Nefertiti due to its feminine shape and similar features to her bust. According to him, Nefertiti’s mask was reused due to urgent needs when burying King Tutankhamun. The young king ascended the throne at the age of nine and died unexpectedly just a decade later, so there was little time to prepare a death mask just for him.
Queen Nefertiti, famous for her beautiful appearance, was the wife of pharaoh Akhenaten in the 14th century BC. She played an important role in the religious revolution that caused Egypt to convert to worshiping the sun god Aten. Her fate after Akhenaten’s death remains a mystery, some theories suggest that she may have reigned as pharaoh Neferneferuaten.
Tutankhamun ascended the throne around 1332 BC. He reigned briefly until 1323 BC. However, his almost intact tomb was found in 1922 by Egyptologist Howard Carter.