Tut Tut, Now What?

Ever heard that saying about how the journey begins with the first step? It couldn't have been more true for Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Everything changed one fateful day in 1922 when British archeologist Howard Carter uncovered 16 steps leading to the Boy King's long-lost tomb. The world hasn't been the same since...Tom Hardwick, consulting curator of HMNS’ Hall of Ancient Egypt, and Kat Havens, HMNS’ director of curriculum and content, introduce us to our leading men and the desert site that shaped their destinies: the Valley of the Kings. Mentioned in this episode:The Tomb of Tutankhamen, Howard CarterHoward Carter: The Path to Tutankhamun, T.G.H. JamesTutankhamun: The Untold Story, Thomas Hoving.Journal of Howard Carter, entry Sunday, Nov. 26, 1922. The Griffith Institute.Want to Dig Deeper? When researching this episode, we read:Treasured: How Tutankhamun Shaped a Century, Christina RiggsIn the Valley of the Kings: Howard Carter and the Mystery of King Tutankhamun’s Tomb, Daniel MeyersonHow are we doing? Send us a hieroglyphic at podcasts@hmns.org.Visit our website for more info about the Houston Museum of Natural Science https://www.hmns.org/

Carter’s finally made it inside Tut's tomb and is now surrounded by more riches than he could possibly dream of. Golden statues, opulent jewlery, entire chariots. There’s even the pharaoh’s underwear! So, why is he so obsessed with flowers?Dr. Salima Ikram, distinguished professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo, joins returning guests Tom Hardwick and Kat Havens to dish the dirt on all the treasures inside Tut’s tomb as well as the complicated condition of the Boy King’s mummy. Plus, Exhibits-Projects Director Dustin Newcomb takes us inside HMNS’ recreation of the pharaoh’s crypt.Sources mentioned in this episode:Tutankhamun Archive, The Griffith Institute, University of OxfordWant to Dig Deeper? When researching this episode, we read:Treasured: How Tutankhamun Shaped a Century, Christina RiggsHoward Carter: The Path to Tutankhamun, T.G.H. JamesThe Shadow King, Jo Marchant“Some Reflections on the Mummification of Tutankhamun,” Salima Ikram, Études et Travaux (2013)How are we doing? Send us a hieroglyphic at podcasts@hmns.orgVisit our website for more info about the Houston Museum of Natural Science https://www.hmns.org/

Tut's curse has bodies dropping left and right...but does it? We follow the trail of this myth through the depths of history.Sources mentioned in this episode:Tutankhamun Archive, The Griffith Institute, University of OxfordWant to Dig Deeper? When researching this episode, we read:Treasured: How Tutankhamun Shaped a Century, Christina RiggsHoward Carter: The Path to Tutankhamun, T.G.H. JamesThe Shadow King, Jo Marchant“Some Reflections on the Mummification of Tutankhamun,” Salima Ikram, Études et Travaux (2013)How are we doing? Send us a hieroglyphic at podcasts@hmns.orgVisit our website for more info about the Houston Museum of Natural Science https://www.hmns.org/

The story of Tutankhamun is one of cultural obsession, ethical gray areas, and the immortality of a young pharoah. In the end, it would be the Boy King to go on to become arguably Egypt's greatest unifier...and have the final say over the West.Links:https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apollo-magazine.com%2Ftutankhamun-discovery-howard-carter%2Fhttps://www.cnn.com/style/article/met-museum-artifacts-seized-new-york-looting/index.htmlhttps://www.metmuseum.org/press/news/2010/metropolitan-museum-and-egyptian-government-announce-initiative-to-recognize-egypts-title-to-19-objects-originally-from-tutankhamuns-tombEmail: Podcasts@hmns.orghttps://www.hmns.org/