It is known that American archaeologists succeeded in locating the Tutankhamen’s mummy. They also unearthed the large amount of wealth buried inside it. However, they could not solve two mysteries.
Inside the mummy, archaeologists discovered 150 amulets. They could not fathom its meaning. Secondly, no one knew why Tutankhamen’s mummy had started decaying.
The historians and archaeologists are still experimenting and speculating the significance of 150 amulets and the reason for decay of Tutankhamen’s mummy.
Egypt always inspires a traveller with awe and admiration. It is not only known for its historical civilization but also because of innumerable secrets buried beneath its monuments. Historians, archaeologists and scientists are still uncertain about the purpose of erecting pyramids and mummies.
The most bewildering mummy is that of Tutankhamen. Twelve centuries after the rule of Pharaoh Cheops, Tutankhamen became the ruler. His mummy is as mysterious as the construction of pyramids.
The first one to enter inside the mausoleum were Cartar and Karnakhan – two American archaeologists. They discovered four graves. On the first grave, artistic designs were made out of gold and on the other two graves, pictures of Gods and Goddesses were found. This was done, perhaps, to protect the dead. In the fourth the dead body of Tutankhamen was kept. His 3,500 years old mummy was found inside three coffns. The body was decorated with gold ornaments. An iron billow was kept below the head and a well decorated mask depicted the artistic maturity, the civilization had attained.
There were other precious articles too in the grave – green glass, Neelam and Cornelian necklace. The fingers of both the hands were decorated with rings. There were five rings in the right hand and eight rings in the left hand. On the waist, was a gold chain in which the sword was hanging. Even the sword was decorated with precious stones. Besides all this, the coffn was made of precious gems and stones. In fact, Tutankhamen’s body was decorated with 143 valuable articles.
So far the discovery spoke of the artistic traditions of the civilization. But the intriguing mystery is of the 150 amulets which were found in the mummy of Tutankhamen.
The 150 discovered amulets are the specimens of highly developed artistic traditions as well as they highlight the mysterious incomprehensible traditions of the Egyptians. The two well-known amulets are ‘Eye of Horus’ and ‘Buckle of Isis’ but the most important amulet is Scarab – a symbol of life and dedicated to ‘Ra’ – the Sun God. The Scarab was placed on the heart of the dead body before burying. It had a magical spell carved on its back, request to God for immortality. As Scarab was in the shape of dung beetle, gradually, the latter became associated with the Scarab’s power and infertile women began using it frequently in the hope of getting a child. The ‘ankh’, a cross with a ringed head, appeared as frequently as the scarab and perhaps symbolised life and immortality.
Out of the 150 amulets discovered on the body of Tutankhamen, historians have been able to decode the meaning of only these three amulets. Horus and Isis also symbolised God. Horus was the God who weighed dead man’s heart before pronouncing the final decision about him.
How strongly did the Egyptians believe in the power of their amulets and the reality of the life after death is evident from their amulets and the reality of the life after death is evident from their mummies. But as far as Tutankhamen’s mummy is concerned, it has given rise to another mystery – why did Tutankhamen’s mummy decay? There are so many other mummies, much older than Tutankhamen’s which have not yet decayed. Then, why his? This is the question which many historians ask.
According to some scholars, the practice of rubbing oil on the dead body proved to be fatal. The scholars assume that with time as the oil penetrated inside the skin, it automatically ruined the skin. But they have ‘not been able to prove it scientifically.
Meanwhile archaeologists have found immense wealth in this mummy. A part from the precious gems and stones, they have also found a well-decorated throne, decoration pieces, artistic wood articles and a sculpture of Tutankhamen’s queen.
The throne carved with gold and diamonds attracted many archaeologists before the two Americans could enter inside. And unfortunately, all others (20 in number) died midway in mysterious circumstances. The reason for their death has not been known till this day. The two successful American archaeologists did not find anything dangerous in the tomb
If the mysterious cause for Tutankhamen’s mummy getting spoiled is unravelled, perhaps, the world will also know the secret of mummies’ construction. But till now archaeologists have been unable to decipher the hidden meaning.