Warm-Up: Who Is King Tut?

Take a moment to activate your prior knowledge and get ready for a journey into ancient Egypt.

1. In your own words, who was King Tutankhamun? Why do you think his name sounds familiar today?
   
   
   
   

2. What is one thing you’re curious to learn about King Tut or his tomb?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Share your ideas with a partner. Be ready to tell the class one interesting thought or question you discussed!

King Tutankhamun: A Pharaoh’s Brief Reign and Lasting Legacy

Early Life and Rule

Tutankhamun, often called “King Tut,” was born around 1341 BC in ancient Egypt. He became pharaoh at about nine years old after the sudden death of his father, the pharaoh Akhenaten. As a young ruler, Tutankhamun worked with advisors to restore traditional Egyptian beliefs and temples that had been changed during his father’s reign. Although his rule was short—only about nine years—he helped return peace and stability to Egypt.

The Boy King’s Tomb

Tutankhamun died unexpectedly at around age 18. His burial site, located in the Valley of the Kings near Thebes, remained largely hidden for centuries. Unlike the grand tombs of other pharaohs, King Tut’s tomb was small and forgotten under debris. Inside, however, archaeologists would later discover thousands of objects that once adorned his burial chamber.

Discovery and Archaeological Significance

In November 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter and his team uncovered a sealed doorway leading to King Tut’s tomb. When they entered, they found an astonishing treasure of jewelry, statues, chariots, and the famous gold mask. Because Tutankhamun’s tomb was almost intact, it offered an unprecedented look at royal burial customs and everyday life in ancient Egypt.

What Artifacts Tell Us

Each item in Tutankhamun’s tomb carries a story. His golden mask shows the skill of craftsmen and the importance of the pharaoh’s image. Small toys and weapons reveal how young kings might have played and trained. Even food containers tell us about the meals Egyptians valued for the journey to the afterlife.

Why King Tut Matters Today

Although Tutankhamun was a minor pharaoh in terms of power, the discovery of his tomb made him one of the most famous figures from ancient Egypt. His treasures have traveled the world in museum exhibitions, inspiring people to learn about archaeology, history, and how objects can connect us to the past.

“Artifacts are windows into lives long ago. What story do you think a small object from King Tut’s tomb might tell?”

Ancient Egypt Timeline Activity

In this activity, you will sequence key events from ancient Egypt related to King Tutankhamun and plot them on a timeline.

1. Put the events in chronological order

Next to each event, write its order number (1 = earliest, 6 = latest).

• ___ Tutankhamun becomes pharaoh (c. 1332 BC)
• ___ Pharaoh Akhenaten’s religious reforms begin (c. 1353 BC)
• ___ Tutankhamun’s death and burial (c. 1323 BC)
• ___ Construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza (c. 2560 BC)
• ___ Restoration of traditional temples under Tutankhamun (c. 1330 BC)
• ___ Discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb by Howard Carter (1922 AD)

2. Draw and label a timeline

• Draw a horizontal line across the space below.
• Mark the left end as “3000 BC” and the right end as “2000 AD.”
• Place each event above or below the line at its approximate spot.
• Use different colors or symbols to highlight three events you think are most important.

3. Reflection Questions

1. Which event do you think had the biggest impact on how we understand ancient Egypt? Why?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. How does placing events on a timeline help you see connections between King Tut’s life and other moments in Egyptian history?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

When you’re finished, be ready to share one thing you noticed about the order and spacing of events!

Artifact Story Exit Ticket

Choose one artifact from King Tutankhamun’s tomb and use the space below to respond to each prompt.

1. Describe the artifact you selected (what it looks like, what it might have been used for).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Explain the story this artifact tells about King Tutankhamun, his life, or ancient Egyptian beliefs.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Why is it important for historians and archaeologists to study artifacts when learning about the past?