Topic > Essay on King Tutankhamen - 1279

In 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter revealed King Tutankhamen's tomb in its entirety, hidden from any previous raiders and tomb robbers (Reeves and Wilkinson 86). The hidden tomb remained intact, and Carter's discovery revealed the riches and artifacts of an ancient civilization. As Reeves and Wilkinson explain, "Because of this vast display of wealth, 70 years after the discovery Tutankhamun remains the valley's most famous son" (8). Since then, the mainstream world and the media have been catapulted into a period of Egyptomania that continues to this day. The Valley of the Kings has captured the imagination of millions, resulting in blockbuster Hollywood mummy films and best-selling King Tut books. These pieces of fiction, many of them stemming from Howard Carter's discovery in 1922, have undoubtedly captivated the minds of the masses, as well as bringing in revenue to the entertainment industry. For example, Universal Studios has released a series of horror films, collectively called "The Mummy" franchise. The four films, released over nine years, made a total gross profit of $1,415.4 million worldwide ("The Mummy"). The “Mummy” franchise is just one of the many films and books based on Ancient Egypt that have boosted the entertainment industry. Furthermore, the Valley of the Kings provides significant insights into Ancient Egypt. It gave us more knowledge about famous pharaohs, such as Ramesses II, Hatshepsut, Thutmose, etc. Which had a great impact on ancient Egypt (Drower). Inside the tombs, archaeologists also discovered religious texts, such as the Book of Day, the Book of Night, the Book of the Heavenly Cow, etc. which describe the journey of the pharaohs through the afterlife (Hawass 68). Discovered artifacts, daily possessions of the pharaohs (such as clothes and beds), food and drink,