Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 3 – Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues (A.R. Williams) Summary

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 English

Hornbill

Chapter 3 – Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues (A.R. Williams)

Summary

 

"Continuing the Tutankhamun Saga" is a chapter that delves deep into the life of Tutankhamun, the final ruler of the formidable Pharaoh Dynasty in Egypt, offering profound insights. Tutankhamun, a teenager at the time of his mysterious death, ruled Egypt and its empire for centuries, with some speculating that he might have been murdered.

 

In 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamun's tomb after years of searching. Eighty years later, Tutankhamun's mummified remains were subjected to a CT scan, aiming to unravel the mysteries of his life and death through forensic reconstruction.

 

Amenhotep III, Tutankhamun's father or grandfather, wielded immense power as a Pharaoh, reigning for four decades. His successor, Amenhotep IV, later known as Akhenaten, initiated a peculiar period in Egypt's history. Akhenaten promoted the worship of Aten, changed his name to Akhenaten, and relocated the religious capital to the newly established city of Amarna.

 

Akhenaten's unconventional actions included attacking the god Amun, destroying images, and closing temples. After Akhenaten, a mysterious ruler briefly succeeded him, paving the way for Tutankhamun to ascend the throne. Tutankhamun, also called Tut, ruled for nine years, adhering to the traditional worship of god Amun. However, his death remained shrouded in mystery.

 

Tutankhamun's mummified body, discovered by Carter, was surrounded by gold, wealth, and everyday items. Carter faced challenges while investigating Tutankhamun's three nested coffins, discovering that parts of the tomb had already been looted.

 

The rock-cut tomb, 26 feet underground, featured wall paintings. Tutankhamun's outer coffin displayed a gilded face, while the first coffin contained garlands suggesting a March or April burial. The third coffin posed challenges as hardened resins adhered Tutankhamun to the solid gold coffin. Carter had to chisel and hammer the resins to prevent gold looting.

 

In 1968, an anatomy professor's X-ray examination revealed missing breastbone and front ribs on Tutankhamun's mummy. On January 5, 2009, Tutankhamun underwent a CT scan for a three-dimensional image, overcoming technical glitches during the process. His body was then returned to his tomb, where it continues to rest in peace.