Located in the Valley of the Kings near Luxor, Tutankhamun's tomb, discovered on November 4, 1922, by Howard Carter, contained more than 5,000 artifacts. Among these were treasures such as statues, jewelry, and chariots, along with the iconic golden funerary mask. However, some of the simpler items, like clay trays and wooden staffs, initially went unnoticed for their significance.
Dr. Nicholas Brown, an Egyptologist at Yale University, proposed that these objects might have played a crucial role in a ceremonial practice known as the "Awakening of Osiris." An article published in the Journal of Egyptian Archaeology posited that the clay vessels and wooden sticks near the sarcophagus were used for ritual offerings, possibly involving water poured to honor Osiris.
Clay trays found inside the tomb may have held liquid offerings to Osiris, while wooden staffs could symbolize the symbolic 'awakening' of the pharaoh. This interpretation echoes myths where Osiris is resurrected with staffs held behind him. Brown emphasized that water from the Nile, regarded as pure and life-giving, was likely poured into vessels to help revive the body of the deceased, symbolizing rebirth. "These enigmatic objects near Tutankhamun's sarcophagus are very important," said Brown.
Not all scholars agreed with this interpretation. Jacobus van Dijk offered an alternative explanation, linking the trays to the "Four Torches Spell." This spell involved torchbearers guiding the spirit through the underworld before extinguishing the flames in the trays.
Brown contended that what is observed in Tutankhamun's burial chamber is "probably the earliest evidence of this funerary ritual," adding that depictions of this ceremony are only known from artwork associated with the 19th Dynasty. If his hypothesis is accurate, the ritual associated with Osiris might have originated earlier than previously believed.
The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb remains one of the most important archaeological findings of the 20th century. The tomb was nearly intact, allowing archaeologists to learn more about ancient Egypt. Despite being a relatively minor pharaoh who died young, King Tutankhamun's burial site continues to intrigue researchers a century later.
The treasures from Tutankhamun's tomb are set to be exhibited together for the first time at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
