Rotarians learn about the mummies of Egypt

Rotary Club Boksburg Lake recently enjoyed hearing from Boksburg medic Dr Gavin Moore who informed the club and guests about the famous Egyptian King Tutankhamun.

Moore led the audience through the Valley Of The Kings on the banks of the Nile and the many tombs discovered there, since Egyptian kings were no longer buried in pyramids in an effort to avoid their tombs being robbed.

According to Moore, most of the tombs did not escape robbers but King Tut’s tomb (as it is affectionately known), did, in fact, remain intact and was discovered by the historical team of Howard Carter and his sponsor Lord Carnarvon in 1922.

“One of the most famous funereal artifacts in the world is to this day still the gold death mask of King Tut, displayed in the Cairo Museum,” said Moore.

Moore also showed photos of many mummies which had recently been more accurately identified through the use of modern technology.

“The actual cause of King Tut’s death, at the very early age of 19, has always been a subject for heated debate but there is now more or less agreement reached that he was not murdered as had been thought for many years.

“Because of the early age of his death, his tomb could not have been ready to receive his mummy and it is fairly certain that he was not buried in a grave prepared for him during his life, but hurriedly made ready for his mummy after his death while he was embalmed.”