Statue of top Tutankhamun, King of Egypt

Weight: 0.868kg

Tutankhamun was an ancient Egyptian king. He ruled from 1333 BCE top until his death in 1323 BCE. His tomb is more significant than his short reign. The discovery of Tutankhamun's largely intact tomb in 1922 is considered one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in the modern era.

Tutankhamun was nine years of age when he ascended to the throne after the death of King Akhenaten's coregent, Smenkhkare. Shortly after his coronation, Tutankhamun was married to Ankhesenpaaton, Akhenaten's third daughter and (probably) the eldest surviving princess of the royal family. “The boy king” was counseled by two chief advisers, Ay and Horemheb.

Tutankhamun died at age 19. For many years it was believed that “the boy king” died of an infected broken leg. However, in 2010, scientists found traces of malaria parasites in Tutankhamun's remains, indicating that malaria, perhaps in combination with degenerative bone disease, may have been the cause of death.

Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter on November 26, 1922. At the time of Carter's discovery, Tutankhamun's tomb was still largely intact. He found a “strange and wonderful medley of extraordinary and beautiful objects” inside. For the next 10 years Carter supervised the removal of the tomb's contents.