SOcial Science Assignment

8/6/2019 SOcial Science Assignment

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Contents Page4.0 Introduction

4.1 Purpose of the report

4.2 Location of the site/dig

4.3 Historical context of civilisation being investigated

5.0 The discovery of the site

5.1 Who? When? Why?

5.2 Unearthing of archaeological remains

6.0 The examination of the finds

6.1 Primary evidence:

6.2 Secondary evidence

6.3 Detailed analysis and discussion of the source

6.4 An evaluation of your sources

7.0 Conclusions and reasons for them7.1proof or disproof of the hypothesis

7.2 Similarities and/or differences between this society and other societies

7.3 What are the current concerns that relate to the ethics of the

discipline?

7.4 What recommendations/considerations should be make to a

government or archaeological body?

8.0 Appendices

9.0 Bibliography

4.0 Introduction

Egypt is approximately 997,740 sq km and is situated in north-east Africa.

Egypt depends on its tourist for economic survival; in 2004 the tourism in

Egypt reached 7.5 million. The most famous finding in Egyptian historywas the discovery of Tutankhamuns tomb in the year 1922 by Howard

Cater.

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4.1 Purpose of report

This report investigates the site of Tutankhamuns Tomb, one of the

worlds most significant archaeological sites. Importantly, this report

investigates and tests this site of the tomb in relation to the hypothesis (or

argument) that xxxxx (state your argument or hypothesis here).

Moreover, to discuss and test this hypothesis, both an overview of the

discovery of the site and the examination of its primary evidence and

relevant secondary sources will be presented.

4.2 Location of the site/dig

King Tutankhamuns tomb was buried deep below the surface of the

Valley of the Kings at Luxor. The tomb itself was buried within an unusual

area because there were no other royals buried there. King

Tutankhamuns tomb has taught us about the many social and cultural

aspects of Egyptian life.

4.3 Historical context of civilisation being investigated

Ancient Egypt started to flourish before 3,000 BC. King Tutankhamun

began his reign in the 2nd intermediate period or better known as the New

Kingdom. King Tutankhamun reigned at an early age and died at the age

of 19 years old. The Egyptian kingdom at the time ruled by king

Tutankhamun had already had religion beliefs, culture and languages

established. During the time of Tutankhamun there were different classes

of people. At the top was the king and the bottom people were the slaves.

Slaves were the lowest class of Egyptian society whom were often

foreigners who could be bought or sold to work or they could buy

themselves out of slavery. School started at the age of four years old and

was only available for boys from wealthy families. The boys father would

choose his sons career and therefore the boy would only be taught what

he needed for his occupation. If you were able to read and write in ancient

Egypt then you were respected and would receive a high paying job,

where as maths would only be taught if your occupation is going to be a

tax collector. The wring language in Egypt was developed around 3100

B.C and is made up from over 700 signs; this form of writing is called

hieroglyphics. Lessons would start early in the morning at the school

masters house and would conclude at noon. Marriage is a sacred bond

between man and woman. The girl would be involved in an arranged

marriage at the age of 14-15 years old to a man at the age of 17-20 years

old. The man was in charge of working and getting an income, while the

mother would stay home, clean and raise the children. Marriages had to

usually be by parental consent but occasionally you were able to choose

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who you wished to love on the condition that they were from the same

social class or higher.

5.0 The discovery of the site/s

Tutankhamun was initially discovered by archaeologist Hale Carter in 1921. Lord

Carnarvon, the man financially supporting Hale Carter and his team in the search

for Tutankhamun, allowed extra time for Carter to search/ dig even though Carter

had not been successful in finding Tutankhamun. The tomb was discovered by

accident when Carter started digging near Ramesses VIs tomb, Carter ordered

an ancient workmans hut to be removed. After the removal of the hut Carter

ordered the stairs to be cleared of sand and debris which then revealed a

doorway. The importance of this door was that it was stamped with the seal of

the royal necropolis. The seal of the royal Necropolis represents Anubis standing

above five defeated enemies, indicating that this doorway was guarding

someone royal. After Carter had realized what he had found, he was filled with

joy and sent a telegram saying At last have made wonderful discovery in valley;

a magnificent tomb with seals intact; re-covered same for your arrival;

congratulations. The next day Carter and his team started to drill his way

through the upper left corner. As the hole grew Carter, Carnarvon and his

daughter, waited anxiously while the inside was slowly revealed. Carter

continued to chip away at the opening until a strong scent of perfume through

warm air filled his nose. He then held a candle beside the opening hoping to peer

through and see incredible things, and that he did. Carter was amazed with the

amount of gold and beauty he saw. The more he looked around the tomb, the

more was revealed. Lord Carnarvon stood awaiting for a response from Carter,but he stood in amazement and disbelief. Carter and his team began chipping

away again at the door so there was a big enough gap for them to fit though.

Carter and Carnarvon entered slowly. The candle flickered as the warm air and

oil scent was becoming more prominent now. Marvellous objects started to

appear as the candle was held up towards shadows. To one side Carter could

see three animal couches while on the other side Carnarvon and Lady Evelyn

could see broken chariots. Carter explained that the tomb robbers must have

broken them in search for gold. At the end of the tomb stood two life size

statuesque guards holding maces and staffs. The day was now coming to an end

so Carter, Carnarvon and Lady Evelyn decided to re visit the site the followingday. The following day Carter and his team came prepared with electric lights

and torches so they could explore within the tomb.

5.1 Who, When, Why

5.2 Unearthing of archaeological remains: techniques used in the

discovery of evidence

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The initial investigation in the discovery of Tutankhamun used a variety of

techniques to unearth the remains and determine its authenticity in relation to

the ancient Egyptian civilization. Techniques included X-ray machines to examine

the bone structure(now write about the techniques). Due to technological

advances in forensic archaeology (if you are doing a body) or dating techniques

(if you are doing artefact and site archaeology) archaeologists understanding ofthe site/body etc has been further enhanced. Now tell me about how new

evidence has come to light using new advances in archaeologists techniques

6.0 The examination of the finds: source and evidence

When Hale Carter began examining king Tutankhamun he found it difficultbecause of the amount of anointing oils that had been poured over the king hadformed a thick black layer that acted like a glue which held the mummy to hiscoffin and his headpiece, the golden mask. Tradition in ancient Egypt was to burythe pharaoh in countless amulets, jewels and other objects laid in between hisbandages for his protection in this world and the next. More difficulty had begunwhen the skeleton on Tutankhamun was to be X-rayed. When it was time to usethe machine, it was broken.

Carter continued in his examination process of unwrapping Tutankhamun. The

more Carter unwrapped the mummy, the more Tutankhamun stuck to thebottom on his coffin. Carter solved this by using hot knives to melt the glue likesubstance to pry loose the mummy. Carter then began removing all amulets and

jewels extremely carefully from around Tutankhamun and recorded their positionon the his body. Once all the bandages had been unwrapped, to cartersamazement the body of Tutankhamun had been unsuccessfully preserved due tothe over use of the anointing oils.

The height of Tutankhamun was measured at 1.63m but due to shrinking duringthe mummification process that may have occurred Carter added another 2.5cmto his measured height. After examining the body, It was noticed that

Tutankhamun had a large scratch on the left hand side of his jaw and that theestimated age of death would have been between 17 to 19 years old.

In conclusion of the examination Tutankhamun was photographed and he was re-wrapped in his removed bandages and was laid back in his coffin.

After many years, a British team leaded by R.G Harrison was granted permissionto re examine the body of Tutankhamun. Harrison X-rayed the mummy whichrevealed that when he was in the mummification process Tutankhamun had hisbrain liquefied at two different times. In ancient Egypt during the mummification

process the brain was liquefied twice to make it easier to remove the brain. InTutankhamun's case, he had his brain liquefied when he was lying down and

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when he was hanging upside down. This unique ritual had not been conductedon anyone else before, It is unknown why Tutankhamun was the only exception.

Further examination revealed that Tutankhamuns sternum and most of his ribcage was removed. This was mostly likely to have occurred when Tutankhamun

was getting his organs removed. When Carter and his team examined the body,they did not notice the missing bones because they did not have the X- raymachine to use at the time, also the body was stuffed with cloth. Harrisons finalexamination of the mummy confirmed that Tutankhamun died at the age of 16 to17 years old based on the examination of his wisdom teeth.

6.1 Primary evidence

Primary sources found within Tutankhamuns tomb include

beautiful jewellery

Child toys

Golden statues ofGods

animals and panels

Chariots

Tutankhamuns

Alabaster canopic

jars were found

within a golden

canopic shrine,

perfume vases statues of

pharaohs

Golden panel with

Tutankhamun and

Anaksunamun

Ecclesiastical chair

and Throne.

The unbelievable discovery was made by a man called

Howard Carter in 1922. Within the tomb there were 3,500items found within Tutankhamuns tomb such as spiritual

symbols like the ankh symbol. The ankh symbol

represents life itself. It is believed that if you carry with

you the ankh symbol you are carrying around life. Toys

were also found within the tomb, because of this we are

able to learn about social behaviours that children learnt

and some techniques and skills used in creating and

constructing the delicate possessions. Other items within

Tutankhamuns tomb are statues, paintings and otheritems that show Ankhesenamum along side of Tutankhamun.

The reason for Tutankhamun tomb being the most

incredible and exceptional archaeological discovery ever

made within Egypt. The coffin itself is made up of

beautiful gilded, laminated wood with inlays of

polychrome glass pastes.

6.2 Secondary sources

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The secondary sources are all the historians and

Egyptologists that have written and reflected on the

discovery of Tutankhamuns tomb.

6.3 Detailed analysis and discussion of what the source

demonstrate

All the information that has been gathered from sources

on Tutankhamuns tomb has taught us about the

Egyptian way of life. The findings within Tutankhamuns

tomb have taught us about Egyptian spirituality and

religion, child toys and social learning, we have also

learnt about the Egyptian hierarchy, Egyptian culture and

craftsmanship.

6.4 An evaluation of your sources

The secondary sources used in the research process of

this investigation are reliable because the information

found is directly from Howard Carter or his workers and

because there has been more than 4 sites used with the

researching process, and all of the facts/ information that

has been used is repeated throughout all of them with

the same dates, names and items found regarding

Tutankhamuns Tomb.

7.0 Conclusions and reasons for them

It was hypothesised that; the finding of Tutankhamun's

Tomb has enhanced our knowledge of social and cultural

way of like as an Egyptian because of the vast range of

assets found within the tomb. As this hypothesis was

investigated, it proves that the hypothesis was

supported. It was because of this miraculous finding that

we are now able to fully appreciate and understand theEgyptian culture more accurately.

7.1 Proof or disproof of the hypothesis

Evidence drawn from research proves that the hypothesis

was supported. It is because of Tutankhamuns

discovery, we are now able to understand the Egyptian

culture more clearly and understand what life would have

been like for an ancient Egyptian.

7.2 Similarities and/or differences between this society

and other societies encountered in reading

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7.3 What are the current concerns that relate to the

ethics of the discipline?

7.4 What recommendations/considerations should be

made to a government or archaeological body?

8.0 Appendices

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Tutankhamuns Tomb in

Luxor

Tutankhamuns Canpoic

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9.0 Bibliography

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Labelled map of Egypt and

major cities

Egyptian history time line

Documents

SOcial Science Assignment