TUTANKHAMUN

Tutankhamun was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, during the period of Egyptian history known as the New Kingdom. His original name, Tutankhaten, means "Living image of Aten", while Tutankhamun means "Living image of Amun." In Hieroglyphics, the name Tutankhamun was typically written Amen-Tutankh, because of a scribal custom that placed a divine name at the beginning of a phrase to show appropriate reverence. (All information is from Wikipedia.)

The 1922 discovery by Howard Carter of Tutankhamun's nearly intact tomb, funded by Lord Carnarvon, received worldwide press coverage. It sparked a renewed public interest in ancient Egypt, for which Tutankhamun's mask, now in the Egyptian musuem, remains the popular symbol.

Tutankhamun became King in 1333B.C. at the age of nine or ten. He married his half-sister, Ankhesenpaaten, and they had two daughters, both stillborn. Considering his young age, Tutankhamun no doubt had powerful advisors. Under this advice, the young Pharaoh restored the worchip of the God Amun, rebuilding many temples to many other Gods and Goddesses. The young Pharaoh sought to restore diplomatic relations with other kingdoms, strengthening the country economically.

Being slight of build and roughly 5ft, 11in tall, the young Pharaoh was disabled in several areas of the body which meant he had to walk with a cane. The young Pharaoh died at only 19 years of age.
The tomb of Tutankhamun was found nearly intact being the most complete Egyptian royal tomb found. 5,398 items were found in this tomb, including a solid gold coffin, face mask, thrones, as well as everyday items such as food, wine and sandals. Howard Carter took 10 years to catalog the items.
If Tutankhamun is the world's best known Pharaoh, it is largely because his tomb is among the best reserved, and his image and associated artifacts the most exhibited.