Why in the hell was King Tut unmasked?

Question

I have just read an article stating that King Tut, the boy king, was unmasked today. His mummy is now going on tour starting in london on november 15. The article also states that he has to be in a climate controlled area or he will turn to dust within 50 years. To read the article click here. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071104/ap_on_re_mi_ea/king_tut_s_mummy

Here for photos: http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/sc/110407kingtut

This poor king has been dead for 3,000 years, what right do we have to disturb him? Any guesses?

Answer 1

The simple fact of the matter is that the modern world does not share the religious beliefs of ancient egypt. As far as we're concerned, he's dead and has gone on to his final destination. So we can't possibly hurt him now. And since there is much to learn about ancient Egypt, they use his body as a learning tool.

It's a lot better now than it used to be. During the Victorian era when anything not Christian was pagan, mummies were being used as firewood. At least now they treat these people's remains with respect.

I for one would be delighted if my body became a valuable archaeological find. Not that I'm going to throw myself into a bog or anything, but it would be nice to contribute to future knowledge.

Answer 2

Tutankhamen was not unmasked recently, the golden mask was removed many eyars before due to the significance and value of the gold and lapis death mask. Archaeologist removed some of the wrappings to try to get a clearer picture of how Tutankhamen died and lived. They removed the body to help preserve it against pollution from enviroment and from human beings. The carbon dioxide that you emit while leaning over to look at tut's mummy is actually destroying it. Egyptian Pharos wanted their bodies preserved so they could live on in the afterlife, this is just another way for him to live on. Plenty of pharos and queens have been moved in ancient and modern times to protect them from natural disasters, political upheaval, and from building projects. What the modern day Egyptian board of antiquities is doing is really not that different than what these pharos wanted. Zahwi is also using this as a way to increase tourism, but really who can blame him? Egypt is a country in need of the money from their tourism.
By your reasoning we should take Lindow man from the climate controll and preservation of the british museum and put him back in the peat bog where they found him.

Answer 3

Its not his mummy but the articles allowed out of Egypt for display in various museums across the US that will go on display in London on the 15th. The Mummy will stay in Egypt and is being put on display because Egypt is trying to capitalize on the resurgence of interest in its history. The climate controlled environment is an improvement to Tut's golden coffin as the glass encasement will be truly air tight.

The mummy will be preserved but is being revealed to increase Egypt's coffers.

Answer 4

i definetly agree with you. why can they just leave mr.tut alone. if it was me i would NEVER want anyone to uncover me like that in 3300 years. i really do hope whoever uncovered him will get cursed. why cant they leave sacred stuff alone. is it about the money? geez. this pissed me off. they put him on display liek that, in a glass box. when before he had a beuatiful religious tomb. and theres a risk of the glass breaking or whatever. and they tomb is something that represents him and now hes in a box. LEAVE HIM ALONE PEOPLE. people dont know what repect is these days. F*CKED up A**HOLES