2008 Woodie Awards
King Tut to be displayed to public
Haseeba Syed
Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The mummy of King Tut was on display for all of the public to see this past Sunday for the first time. He was discovered 85 years ago, by British archaeologist Howard Carter, in Luxor, Egypt in the famous Valley of the Kings.
The 3,000 year-old mummy was removed from its sarcophagus in its underground tomb to reveal its face and body. Scientists started restoring King Tut's mummy approximately two years ago when it was first removed from the sarcophagus. The body was placed into a CT scanner and was found to be broken up into 18 pieces. The results of the CT scan showed that he was not murdered, but they still did not reveal how he died. Many archaeologists believe that he contracted an infection from breaking his left thigh. The CT scan also showed that he was healthy, and was 5 feet and 6 inches tall.
Egypt's antiquities chief, Zahi Hawaas, believes that the large amount of tourists visiting the underground tomb of King Tut is damaging the mummy even more. He says that the mummy will turn into powder from the heat and humidity that the tourists bring into the tomb, and that the face needs to be preserved.
Tourists can begin viewing the mummy on Monday. However, King Tut will not be moved to a museum like other mummies; he will be kept in the tomb. Also, it is beneficial for both tourists and scientists to have King Tut remain in a climate-controlled case because they can then determine if the mummy is stable or not. Egypt is hoping that the display of King Tut's mummy will bring in more tourists and therefore bring in more money.
The 3,000 year-old mummy was removed from its sarcophagus in its underground tomb to reveal its face and body. Scientists started restoring King Tut's mummy approximately two years ago when it was first removed from the sarcophagus. The body was placed into a CT scanner and was found to be broken up into 18 pieces. The results of the CT scan showed that he was not murdered, but they still did not reveal how he died. Many archaeologists believe that he contracted an infection from breaking his left thigh. The CT scan also showed that he was healthy, and was 5 feet and 6 inches tall.
Egypt's antiquities chief, Zahi Hawaas, believes that the large amount of tourists visiting the underground tomb of King Tut is damaging the mummy even more. He says that the mummy will turn into powder from the heat and humidity that the tourists bring into the tomb, and that the face needs to be preserved.
Tourists can begin viewing the mummy on Monday. However, King Tut will not be moved to a museum like other mummies; he will be kept in the tomb. Also, it is beneficial for both tourists and scientists to have King Tut remain in a climate-controlled case because they can then determine if the mummy is stable or not. Egypt is hoping that the display of King Tut's mummy will bring in more tourists and therefore bring in more money.
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