Definition
The Mask of Tutankhamun is a gold funerary mask that formed the lid of the sarcophagus of the 18th‑dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun (reigned c. 1332–1323 BC). It is one of the most recognizable artifacts from ancient Egypt and is housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Overview
Discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in the Valley of the Kings in 1922, the mask was found lying atop the mummified remains of Tutankhamun within his inner burial chamber. The object quickly became emblematic of both the wealth of the New Kingdom period and the modern fascination with Egyptology. Its iconic status has made the mask a central piece in exhibitions, publications, and popular culture worldwide.
Etymology/Origin
The name “Mask of Tutankhamun” derives directly from its function (a death mask) and the royal name of the individual it was made for, Tutankhamun, meaning “the living image of Amun.” The mask was crafted in the early 14th century BC during the reign of the young pharaoh, likely by royal goldsmiths working under the supervision of the court workshops that produced royal funerary equipment.
Characteristics
- Material: Primarily gold (approximately 11 kg) with inlaid semi‑precious stones, glass paste, and colored glass. The gold is stamped rather than cast, giving it a hammered appearance.
- Dimensions: Height 54 cm (21 in), width 39 cm (15 in), depth 12 cm (4.7 in).
- Design: The mask depicts Tutankhamun’s idealized facial features—narrow eyes, a pointed chin, and a false beard. It is framed by a striped headdress representing the Nemes, a royal cap associated with pharaohs. The uraeus (rearing cobra) sits at the forehead, symbolizing divine protection, while the vulture and scarab beetle flank the mask, representing the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet.
- Inlay Work: Lapis lazuli outlines the eyes and eyebrows; quartz and obsidian form the pupils; carnelian and red glass create the cheeks and lips; turquoise and other colored glass fill the headdress and decorative motifs.
- Function: Served as a funerary mask to protect the king’s spirit and to display his divine status in the afterlife, aligning with Egyptian beliefs in the preservation of the body and the king’s association with the gods.
Related Topics
- Tutankhamun’s Tomb (KV62) – The burial chamber where the mask and other treasures were found.
- Egyptian Funerary Practices – Rituals and artifacts associated with royal burials in the New Kingdom.
- Goldsmithing in Ancient Egypt – Techniques such as hammer‑stamping and stone inlay used in high‑status objects.
- Howard Carter and the 1922 Discovery – The excavation that brought the mask to global attention.
- Egyptian Museum, Cairo – Current repository of the mask and many other artifacts from Tutankhamun’s burial.