104th Anniversary of King Tutankhamun’s Tomb Discovery
Summary
Wednesday, November 4, 2026, marks 104 years since Howard Carter’s team found the entrance to King Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings. The 1922 tomb discovery uncovered more than 5,000 objects, and the golden death mask now draws big crowds at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza.
Key Highlights
- Carter’s team found the first step of the tomb on November 4, 1922.
- The sealed burial chamber was opened on February 16, 1923.
- More than 5,000 objects were recovered from the tomb.
- The golden death mask is the main attraction at the Grand Egyptian Museum.
What Happened?
It started with a single step cut into the rock. On November 4, 1922, workers on Howard Carter’s dig uncovered it in the Valley of the Kings, and the staircase led to a sealed doorway. Carter, a British Egyptologist, needed months to work his way inside. He opened the burial chamber on February 16, 1923, and the job of clearing and recording the contents stretched on for years. Tutankhamun had become pharaoh at about nine and ruled for roughly ten years.
Why is it Important?
Grave robbers emptied most royal tombs in ancient Egypt long before modern archaeologists arrived. Tutankhamun’s was among the few found largely intact. Inside were a solid gold coffin, the famous death mask and the boy king’s mummy, along with thousands of everyday and ceremonial items. Newspapers around the world covered the tomb discovery, and it gave researchers a rare, detailed look at royal burial practice.
Impact and Implications
The boy king’s story never really settled. Rumours of a curse followed the find almost immediately, and his cause of death is still argued over. CT scans and DNA tests pointed to inherited health problems. Some researchers link his death to a broken leg complicated by severe malaria, though others disagree. Few pharaohs remain recognisable.
What Happens Next?
The tomb remains a major draw in the Valley of the Kings, and visitor spending helps support Egypt’s economy. The Grand Egyptian Museum, which opened last year, keeps the death mask on public display. Another anniversary will come next November.
