Unit - 3: Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues

 Background of the Story

"Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues" explores the life, death, and discovery of Tutankhamun, the young Egyptian pharaoh. The text delves into the scientific investigations carried out on his mummy, especially focusing on a CT scan conducted in 2005, which aimed to solve the mystery behind his sudden death. The story connects history, archaeology, and modern science to uncover the truth about this ancient king.

Summary in Points

1. Tutankhamun ruled Egypt over 3,300 years ago and died mysteriously at around 18–19 years of age.
2. His tomb was discovered in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter, which sparked worldwide interest.
3. The tomb was remarkably preserved, but Carter's removal techniques damaged the body.
4. In 2005, Tut's mummy was taken for a CT scan to investigate the cause of his death using modern technology.
5. The scan revealed detailed images of his body and dispelled some theories like a fatal head injury.
6. Scientists are still unsure about the exact cause of death but now have more insights.
7. The text also highlights ancient Egyptian burial rituals and the significance of the afterlife.

Setting

• Time: Ancient Egypt (Tutankhamun’s era, 14th century BCE) and the modern era (1922 and 2005)
• Place: Valley of the Kings, Egypt; inside Tutankhamun’s tomb and the medical scanning facility

Perspective (Point of View)

• Third-person objective narration
• The narrator presents facts, history, and observations without personal bias
• Combines historical narrative with scientific reportage

Central Idea

The central idea revolves around using modern scientific methods to unravel ancient mysteries. It connects the past (Tutankhamun’s life and death) with the present (technological advancements in archaeology and forensic science).

Themes

1. Science and Technology vs. History – Using modern tools (like CT scans) to uncover ancient secrets.
2. Mystery and Investigation – The enduring intrigue surrounding Tutankhamun’s untimely death.
3. Mortality and Afterlife – Egyptian beliefs about life after death and elaborate burial customs.
4. Cultural Legacy – The fascination with ancient civilizations and their preserved heritage.

Message

The story conveys the message that:

• Modern science can complement and deepen our understanding of history.
• The past is not entirely lost; it can be rediscovered and reinterpreted.
• Human curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge transcend time.

Title Justification

"Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues" is justified because:

• The story is not just about the past discovery of Tut's tomb, but about the continuing quest to uncover the truth about his life and death.
• It shows that Tutankhamun’s saga didn’t end with his death or the discovery of his tomb but lives on through scientific exploration.

Literary Devices

1. Imagery – Vivid descriptions of the tomb, mummy, and CT scanning process
2. Alliteration – “Scanned the sand-covered ground”, “fascinating pharaoh”
3. Metaphor – “He was buried in great haste” reflects the mysterious urgency
4. Symbolism – The tomb and the golden artifacts symbolize both mystery and majesty
5. Irony – Despite being a minor king, Tutankhamun became the most famous pharaoh

Tone and Mood

• Tone: Investigative, informative, respectful
• Mood: Curious, mysterious, reflective

Characters

1. Tutankhamun – The teenage pharaoh, central figure of the story
2. Howard Carter – British archaeologist who discovered Tut’s tomb in 1922
3. Zahi Hawass – Egyptian archaeologist and head of the CT scan project in 2005
4. CT Scan Team – Scientists and technicians involved in the modern investigation

Flow Chart

A[Tutankhamun dies mysteriously (c. 1324 BCE)]

B[Tomb discovered by Howard Carter (1922)]

C[Body found damaged due to Carter's removal techniques]

D[CT Scan conducted (2005)]

E[Findings: No skull injury; body damaged post-death]

F[Ongoing mystery about cause of death]

Key Words

·       Pharaoh – Ruler of ancient Egypt

·       Mummy – Preserved body

·       CT Scan – Imaging technique used in medical diagnostics

·       Archaeology – Study of ancient cultures through physical remains

·       Tomb – Burial chamber

·       Forensic – Scientific methods for solving mysteries

·       Afterlife – Life after death, important in Egyptian beliefs

NCERT Meanings of these expressions

• Forensic reconstruction- It refers to the process of creating a face on the skull and see how the owner of the skull looked like. Here, it refers to the construction of the bust of King Tut based on the data received from CT scan.
  
  
•        Scudded across- It refers to moving quickly. The phrase is used with reference to the movement of the ‘dark-bellied clouds’.
  
  
•        Casket grey- The words point out to the covering of the stars by the‘dark-bellied clouds’, the way jewels are kept in a casket (a jewel box).
  
  
• Resurrection- It refers to a new beginning for something which is old and long forgotten. Here, it refers to the new life after death.
  
  
•        Funerary treasures- The valuable things with which the king was buried were no less than treasures as most of the items were made of pure gold. They are, thus, referred to as ‘funerary treasures’.
  
  
•        Circumvented- The thieves would easily bypass the guards with artfulness and rip the mummy apart to remove the gold.
  
  
•        Computed tomography- Also known as CT scan, it provides X-ray image of a body in cross section. It is used for diagnostic purposes.
  
  
•        Eerie detail- Uncanny description of the resulting image of the head of Tut visible through the CT scan. 
  
  

Question and Answers

1. Who was king Tutankhamun?

·  Tutankhamun was a teenage pharaoh who ruled Egypt over 3,300 years ago (around 1332–1323 BCE). He died young (around 18–19 years old), and his death remains a mystery. Though he was a relatively minor king, his fame today is unmatched due to the discovery of his intact tomb.

2. When was the tomb of King Tutankhamun discovered? of the Tomb

·       In 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt.  The tomb contained precious treasures, including gold, jewelry, and ceremonial objects many never seen before.  The discovery sparked global fascination with ancient Egypt and Tutankhamun, often called the "boy king".

3. What was the condition of King Tutankhamun's Mummy?

·       Carter faced problems while removing Tut’s body from the coffin. The body had been badly preserved, mainly because Carter had to cut it into pieces to extract it from the hardened resins used in burial rituals.  As a result, the mummy was in poor condition, adding complications for future studies.

4. What were Modern Scientific Investigation of 2005?

·       In 2005, under the supervision of Zahi Hawass (an Egyptian archaeologist), Tutankhamun’s body was CT scanned.

·       The goal was to:

o   Analyze the internal condition of the mummy

o   Determine the exact cause of death

o   Reconstruct his facial features

·       This was the first time Tutankhamun’s mummy was taken out of the tomb in nearly 80 years.

5. What was the CT Scan Procedure?

·       A portable CT machine was used near the tomb site.

·       The body was scanned with 1700 digital images taken from different angles.

·       The scanning provided clear images of bones, skull, and other internal features.

6. What were the Findings from the CT Scan?

·       Earlier theories suggested that Tut had died from a blow to the head or broken leg, possibly due to murder.

·       The CT scan disproved the head injury theory — there was no evidence of damage to the skull.

·       However, it did reveal a fracture in the left thighbone, and some scientists believed it might have led to a fatal infection.

·       The chest bones and ribs were missing, which puzzled scientists, but might have been removed during mummification or later mishandling.

7. What are the Egyptian Beliefs and Burial Rituals?

·       The ancient Egyptians believed in life after death. They practiced elaborate mummification and burial rituals to ensure a safe journey to the afterlife.Tutankhamun was buried with food, wine, clothes, and games all meant to accompany him in the next world. His funeral treasures reflect the wealth and spiritual beliefs of ancient Egypt.

8. What is the Contrast Between the Past and Present?

·       The story contrasts ancient beliefs and practices with modern science and technology.       Ancient embalming techniques are discussed alongside CT scanning, DNA testing, and forensic investigation. Despite thousands of years between them, both the ancient embalmers and modern scientists tried to care for the king in their own ways.

9. What is the Continuing Mystery?

·       While many theories have been ruled out, the exact cause of Tutankhamun’s death remains unknown.The investigations provided clues but no definite answers.  His life and death continue to be studied, making his “saga” continue even into modern times.

 10. What is the Conclusion of the story?

·       Tutankhamun, once a forgotten king, became the most famous pharaoh because of the discovery of his tomb and the mysteries around his death.The story emphasizes how science helps to uncover the past, showing a deep connection between archaeology, history, and technology. It also reflects on human curiosity and the enduring interest in ancient civilizations.

• ONLY FOR READING (Not to be written in Notebook)
  
  

  A. Understanding the Text

  Question 1:
  Give reasons for the following:
  (i) King Tut’s body has been subjected to repeated scrutiny.
  
  Answer: The mummy of King Tutankhamun has earned world wide fame for the riches it was buried with. There is also speculation about the manner of his death and his age at the time of death. Hence King Tut’s body has been subjected to repeated scrutiny.

  (ii) Howard Carter’s investigation was resented.

  Answer: Howard Carter’s investigation was resented because he used unscientific methods and illegitimate ways. He was focusing more on treasure and less on cultural and historical aspects.
  
  (iii) Carter had to chisel away the solidified resins to raise the king’s remains.
  
  Answer: Carter found that the ritual resins had hardened. The result was that Tut’s body had
  been cemented to the bottom of his solid gold coffin. Proper force could not move the resins. Even the scorching sun failed to loosen the resins. So he got the resins chilselled away to raise the king’s remains.

  (iv) Tut’s body was buried along with gilded treasures.
  
  Answer: The people of ancient Egypt believed in resurrection of the dead. Their kings were extremely rich. So Tut’s body was buried with gilded treasures. Their eternal brilliance was meant to guarantee resurrection. Things of everyday use were also buried with the king.

  (v) The boy king changed his name from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun.
  
  Answer: Tutankhamun means “living image of Amun”. He was a major god in ancient Egypt. King Amenhotep IV who changed his name to Akhonaten smashed the images of Amun and got his temples closed. Tut oversaw a restoration of the old ways. He changed his name to express his belief in Amun.

  Question 2:(i) List the deeds that led Ray Johnson to describe Akhenaten as ‘wacky’.
  
  Answer: Akhenaten means the servant of the Aten i.e. the sun disc. He moved the religious capital from the old city of the Thebes to the new city of Akhetaten, known now as Amarna. He smashed the images of Amun, a major God and closed his temples. These deeds led Ray Jonson to describe Akhenaten as ‘Wacky’.
  
  (ii) What were the results of the CT scan?
  
  Answer: The results of the C.T. scan were quite encouraging. 1700 digital X-ray images in cross-section were created. A gray head appeared on screen. Neck vertebrae were quite clear. The images of hand, ribcage and skull were equally bright. These revealed that nothing had gone seriously wrong with Tut’s body
  
  (iii) List the advances in technology that have improved forensic analysis.
  
  Answer: The advances in technology have helped in improving forensic analysis. Many scientific tests can be carried out to determine the causes of crime. These include X-ray,
  ultrasound, C.T. scan, post mortem, autopsy and biopsy. All these help in diagnosis and provide exact information.

  (iv) Explain the statement, “King Tut is one of the first mummies to be scanned— in death as in life”
  
  Answer: King Tut’s mummy was the first one to be X-rayed by an anatomy Professor in 1968. On 5 January 2005 CT scan created virtual reality and produced life-like images. King Tut is one of the first mummies to be scanned. Thus in death as well as in life Tut moved regally ahead of his countrymen.