The ear holes on the golden mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun are crucial evidence suggesting that the mask may have originally been made for Queen Nefertiti.
The famous golden death mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun was likely not made for him, according to a research team at the University of York. Upon re-examining the mask, experts discovered several unusual features indicating that the item was initially created for a high-status woman or child. This hypothesis stems from the ear hole detail, as reported by All That Is Interesting on November 11.
Golden death mask in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. (Photo: Hannes Magerstaedt).
After the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun was discovered in 1922 by archaeologist Howard Carter, this young king became perhaps the most famous figure in ancient Egyptian history. Researchers have continually examined his tomb, mummy, and mask. However, the new study focuses on the overlooked detail of the ear holes in the mask. The ear holes are an unusual feature for an adult king in ancient Egypt. This peculiar detail prompted researchers at the university to investigate further.
According to the lead researcher, Professor Joann Fletcher, an expert in ancient Egyptian history, the mask was not made for an adult pharaoh. His team discovered it was crafted from a completely different type of gold than that of the sarcophagus. They also found evidence that the face of Pharaoh Tutankhamun was grafted onto the mask of a reigning figure before him. Given the ear holes, this figure could likely be a woman. Fletcher speculates that it may have been Queen Nefertiti.
A similar hypothesis had been proposed previously. In 2015, British Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves suggested that Tutankhamun’s mask was originally made for Nefertiti due to its feminine shape and similarities to her famous bust. He theorized that Nefertiti’s mask was reused out of necessity when burying Tutankhamun. The young king ascended to the throne at the age of nine and died unexpectedly just a decade later, leaving too little time to prepare a bespoke death mask for him.
Queen Nefertiti, renowned for her beauty, was the wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten in the 14th century BC. She played a significant role in the religious revolution that led Egypt to worship the sun god Aten. Her fate after Akhenaten’s death remains a mystery, with some theories suggesting she may have ruled under the name Pharaoh Neferneferuaten.
Tutankhamun ascended the throne around 1322 BC. He ruled for a brief period, passing away in 1323 BC. Nevertheless, his nearly intact tomb was discovered in 1922 by Egyptologist Howard Carter.
