KING Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus has been pictured outside his tomb for the first time since its discovery

Tutankhamun’s ‘cursed’ golden sarcophagus pictured outside tomb for first time ever – as experts race to save ‘cracking coffin’

6 Aug 2019, 9:49
Updated: 13 Aug 2019, 2:21

KING Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus has been pictured outside his tomb for the first time since its discovery 100 years ago.

The Egyptian boy king’s gold-plated coffin – believed by some to be cursed – is being urgently restored along with thousands of other artefacts for a new museum exhibit.

The enormous coffin is being restored for the first time everCredit: Reuters

The restoration is taking place at a lab in EgyptCredit: Alamy Live News

Tutankhamun was buried inside several coffins contained within a giant sarcophagusCredit: EPA

Tutankhamun's mummy is also being restored at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt — Tutankhamun’s mummy is also being restored at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, EgyptCredit: Reuters

Archaeologists are racing to repair the damaged sarcophagus, which is now weak and cracking apart.

“Preliminary examination carried out on the outer coffin inside the tomb revealed that it was suffered from general weakness,” said Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities in a statement

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“It had also developed cracks in its gilded layers of plaster, especially those of the lid and base.

“An immediate intervention to restore the coffin inside a suitable environment is now required.”

Egyptian archeologists work on funerary beds belonging to King TutankhamunCredit: EPA

The 'boy king' Tutankhamun died aged just 19, after ruling for nine years — The ‘boy king’ Tutankhamun died aged just 19, after ruling for nine yearsCredit: Reuters

Restoring ancient artefacts is slow and painstaking workCredit: EPA

Experts are racing to fix the artefacts damaged by timeCredit: Reuters

It’s the first time that the coffin has ever been worked on by archaeologists since discovery.

British archaeologist Haward Carter discovered the tomb of the 18th dynasty king in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor in 1922. The tomb was untouched and included about 5,000 artefacts.

Many believe Tut’s remains are cursed as the opening of his tomb was followed by a string of deaths of people involved with the discovery.

Archaeologists, and even their family members, died from horrible illnesses or in strange accidents – and some say the deaths weren’t a coincidence.

Tut’s sarcophagus and the treasured collection of his tomb are expected to be the centrepiece of the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) that Egypt will open next year near the Pyramids of Giza.

The sarcophagus of boy pharaoh King Tutankhamun on display in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings in JanuaryCredit: Reuters

Archaeologist Howard Carter removing oils from the coffin of Tutankhamun in the 1920s

The tomb was secretively transported in this wooden crate last weekCredit: Egyptian Ministry Of Antiquities

Tut was aged 10 when he took the throne, and died at 19 under mysterious circumstancesCredit: EPA

Who was King Tutankhamun?

Here’s everything you need to know…

King Tutankhamun is the most famous of Egypt’s ancient pharaohs
He ruled Egypt more than 3,000 years ago from 1332 to 1323 BC
Tut is known as the “boy king” as he was just 10 years old when he took the thrown
When he became the king he married his half-sister Ankhesenpaaten. They had two daughters together but both were stillborn.
Tut died aged just 19 under mysterious circumstances
Some believe that King Tut was assassinated but most believe that his death was an accident
The pharaoh is also famous for the suposed curse that haunts his tomb
After the tomb’s discovery in 1922, archaeologists, and even their family members, died from horrible illnesses or in strange accidents – and some say the deaths weren’t a coincidence

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