Egypt’s Golden Boy

Finally, on November 4, 1922, Carter’s team of Egyptian workers made a promising find: They unearthed the first step of a stone staircase leading down to a door. 

Carter and his crew couldn’t have imagined what they would see on the other side of that door—or what it would mean for history. Their unbelievable discovery would spark a worldwide fascination with ancient Egypt and turn the young pharaoh, now known as King Tut, into a global celebrity.

On November 4, 1922, Carter’s team of Egyptian workers finally made a promising find. They uncovered the first step of a stone staircase. It led down to a door.

Carter and his crew could not have imagined what they would see on the other side of that door—or what it would mean for history. Their amazing discovery would spark a worldwide fascination with ancient Egypt. It also would turn the young pharaoh, now known as King Tut, into a global celebrity.

Before the discovery, Tut was a “barely known king,” says Egyptologist David Silverman. 

After all, the ancient Egyptian civilization spanned thousands of years, from about 3100 B.C. to 332 B.C. Tut’s rule lasted just a decade—and later pharaohs largely erased him from public records. 

Tut took the throne in 1333 B.C. at just 8 or 9 years old, after the death of his father. At the time, Egyptian life centered around the Nile. People traveled the river for trading and grew crops alongside it.

Tut’s reign was cut short when the pharaoh mysteriously died at age 19. Experts today still debate the cause of his death. Some researchers suspect Tut was murdered. Others say he was in poor health and likely died from an infection. 

Before the discovery, Tut was a “barely known king,” says Egyptologist David Silverman.

After all, the ancient Egyptian civilization spanned thousands of years, from about 3100 B.C. to 332 B.C. Tut’s rule lasted just a decade. Later pharaohs largely erased him from public records.

Tut took the throne in 1333 B.C. at just 8 or 9 years old, after his father died. At the time, Egyptian life centered around the Nile. People traveled the river for trading. They grew crops alongside it.

Tut’s reign was cut short when the pharaoh mysteriously died at age 19. Experts today still debate the cause of his death. Some researchers suspect Tut was murdered. Others say he was in poor health and likely died from an infection.

As word got out, the find made headlines around the globe. A trend that became known as Tutmania gripped pop culture. In the United States, people went crazy for all things associated with Tut and ancient Egypt—from fashion to music. Herbert Hoover, who later became a U.S. president, even named his dog King Tut.

Fascination grew worldwide as the excavation continued. Tut’s tomb was smaller than those of other pharaohs, but its four rooms were packed with precious treasures. Carter and a team of Egyptian workers spent the next 10 years carefully cataloging and removing more than 5,000 artifacts. 

In the years since, some of the objects have been showcased in popular traveling exhibits at museums around the world­—including the U.S. And soon, visitors to Egypt will be able to see nearly all of Tut’s treasures on display together for the first time. The artifacts will be located in Giza at the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is planned to open in November.

As word got out, the find made headlines around the globe. A trend that became known as Tutmania gripped pop culture. In the United States, people went crazy for all things associated with Tut and ancient Egypt—from fashion to music. Herbert Hoover, who later became U.S. president, even named his dog King Tut.

Fascination grew worldwide as the excavation continued. Tut’s tomb was smaller than those of other pharaohs. But its four rooms were packed with precious treasures. Carter and a team of Egyptian workers spent the next 10 years carefully cataloging and removing more than 5,000 artifacts.

In the years since, some of the objects have been displayed in popular traveling exhibits at museums around the world, including the U.S. And soon, visitors to Egypt will be able to see nearly all of Tut’s treasures shown together for the first time. The artifacts will be located in Giza at the Grand Egyptian Museum. It is planned to open in November.

The discovery of Tut’s tomb not only put ancient Egypt on the map, experts say, but it also cemented the civilization’s place in modern history books. 

“People realized just how great the Egyptian civilization had been,” explains Brier.

The find also encouraged more archaeological work in the Valley of the Kings—and beyond—that continues today. Earlier this year, researchers uncovered artifacts near Cairo, including mummies and statues dating back 2,500 years.

Egyptian officials hope the recent finds and the new museum in Giza will boost tourism, which fell steeply during the Covid-19 pandemic. Tut’s discovery has long been credited with attracting tourists to Egypt and aiding the country’s economy (see “Egypt Today,” below).

Each year, more than 1 million visitors flock to the Valley of the Kings to explore Tut’s final resting place. That continued interest helps the boy king live on—thousands of years after his death.

Experts say the discovery of Tut’s tomb not only put ancient Egypt on the map. It also cemented the civilization’s place in modern history books.

“People realized just how great the Egyptian civilization had been,” explains Brier.

The find also encouraged more archaeological work in the Valley of the Kings—and beyond. Such work continues today. Earlier this year, researchers uncovered artifacts near Cairo. The find included mummies and statues dating back 2,500 years.

Egyptian officials hope the recent finds and the new museum in Giza will boost tourism, which fell steeply during the Covid-19 pandemic. Tut’s discovery has long been credited with attracting tourists to Egypt and aiding the country’s economy (see “Egypt Today,” below).

Each year, more than 1 million visitors flock to the Valley of the Kings to explore Tut’s final resting place. That continued interest helps the boy king live on—thousands of years after his death.