How Tutankhamun Got His Gold | Lost Treasures of Egypt

TL;DR

Tutankhamun's gold mines in the Eastern desert were supported by a settlement and a network of wells for water, as revealed by archaeological discoveries.

Transcript

NARRATOR: Thomas and Jennifer are investigating one of Tutankhamun's secrets. Excavating under a ruined fortress for evidence he got his gold from the inhospitable Eastern desert. Did his miners shelter here? The team has just found something. Stone blocks that offer a tantalizing glimpse of a settlement from Tutankhamun's time. So these are archit... Read More

Key Insights

• ⌛ Stone blocks with hieroglyphic inscriptions indicate a settlement from Tutankhamun's time and provide a rough estimate for the site's importance during the 18th dynasty.
• 💢 Tutankhamun-era pottery, handmade and distinct from common Greek-style pottery, is found in layers beneath the fortress, showcasing its archaeological significance.
• 🐪 The presence of multiple wells along the route from the Nile Valley to the Eastern desert reveals an infrastructure that supported the gold mining operations.
• 🙂 The discovery of the settlement, pottery, and well sheds light on the mechanisms that allowed Tutankhamun to obtain the gold for his elaborate burial.

Questions & Answers

Q: What evidence supports the theory that Tutankhamun's gold miners sheltered in the Eastern desert?

The discovery of stone blocks with hieroglyphic inscriptions from Tutankhamun's time and the presence of Tutankhamun-era pottery beneath the fortress strongly suggest the existence of a settlement used by the gold miners.

Q: What distinguishes Tutankhamun-era pottery from other pottery found in the area?

Tutankhamun-era pottery is hand-made, unlike the wheel-made Greek-style pottery commonly found in the region. Its irregular surface, smoothed with a stone, provides clues to its production methods.

Q: What is the significance of finding Tutankhamun-era pottery under the fortress?

This discovery signifies that the fortress was built on top of a site that was occupied during the New Kingdom, which aligns with the timeline of Tutankhamun. It indicates that the site may have been used by Tutankhamun's gold workers.

Q: Why was the well found beneath the fortress so important?

The well, dating back to Tutankhamun's time, provided a crucial source of water for the gold workers. In the arid desert, water was more valuable than gold, allowing the workers to survive their journeys.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Stone blocks with hieroglyphic inscriptions have been found, indicating a settlement from Tutankhamun's time and providing insight into the time period.

• Tutankhamun-era pottery has been discovered beneath the fortress, suggesting occupation in the New Kingdom.

• A well, crucial for water supply in the inhospitable desert, was built during Tutankhamun's reign, highlighting its importance for his gold workers.