Current Date: 15 Feb, 2026
{{entry.title}}

The unbroken seal on King Tutankhamun's tomb until 1922

The unbroken seal of Tutankhamun's tomb before it was opened in 1923, it was unbroken for over 3000 years.

In actuality, this seal belonged to the fifth shrine of King Tut. The king was interred in four separate sarcophagi, each of which was housed within five separate shrines. This sealed vessel remained undamaged for 3,245 years. Ramesses IV’s tomb, which was situated right above Tut’s entrance, left debris covering it, which is why it was discovered so late.

Even though the outermost shrine of the young pharaoh had previously been opened twice, the necropolis seal, which indicated that the pharaoh’s mummy was undamaged, was still present on the doors of the second of the enormous shrines made of gilded wood that held the royal sarcophagus.

In the early 1920s, renowned Egyptologist and archaeologist Howard Carter opened the boy-king’s tomb. There was a treasure inside the tomb that exceeded all previous finds in splendor. Howard Carter found three more shrines in Tutankhamun’s Burial Chamber shortly after removing the lid of the outermost shrine.

The unbroken seal on King Tutankhamuns tomb 1922 1
The unbroken seal on King Tutankhamun’s tomb, 1922. Photo Credit: Photo credit: Harry Burton, Griffith Institute, Oxford, National Geographic Society

The second shrine’s elaborately decorated doors were closed when Harry Burton took these pictures, with a rope wound through the simple copper handles holding them firmly in place. A delicate clay seal depicting Anubis, the jackal god of ancient Egypt tasked with guarding the cemetery, was attached to the knotted cord.

Carter and his financier, Lord Carnarvon, were aware from the beginning that the tomb had been compromised due to a unbroken sealed and replastered opening in the outer doorway (which was not on the fifth shrine).

Once inside the tomb, the disordered condition of the materials, the damage to multiple objects, and the obvious absence of bedding, solid metalwork, glass, oils, and unguents all pointed to the tomb having been looted in antiquity.

Related Topic You Might Find Interesting:

According to legend, he also discovered an antiquated clay tablet in the antechamber. The inscription said, “Death will slay with his wings whoever disturbs the peace of the pharaoh,” when he translated it later.

Later on, this would come to be known as the fabled “Curse of the Pharaohs,” which is only a myth. It is said that the curse, which does not distinguish between thieves and archaeologists, can bring misfortune, disease, or even death.

Even though Tutankhamen was a relatively insignificant king during his lifetime, his tomb ended up becoming one of the most valuable archaeological discoveries because it was hidden beneath another tomb and was never discovered by grave robbers.

The unbroken seal on King Tutankhamuns tomb 1922 2
Inside Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb, 18th dynasty. Photo Credit: Wikipedia

The tomb’s entrance was sealed by rocks and mud from flooding due to its lower location in the Valley of the Kings, and the location was unknown until Carter’s discovery.

The amount of wealth that archaeologists have discovered when Tutankhamen was buried is only a small portion of what he could have accumulated had he lived a longer life. This is because he was a relatively minor Pharaoh who appeared to have died suddenly at a young age. Can you imagine, then, the enormous wealth that great Pharaohs like Ramesses II must have buried?

How did the unbroken seal last 3,200 years without deteriorating?

One of the basic human technologies is the rope. Researchers have discovered two-ply ropes that date back 28,000 years. The first civilization in history to use specialized tools to make rope was Egypt. The dryness of the desert air is more important to its longevity than the rope itself. Things get dried out and preserved by it.

The lack of oxygen is another essential. Tombs are closed off from the exterior. As long as they have oxygen, bacteria can break things down; otherwise, they essentially suffocate. Rope, wooden carvings, cloth, organic dyes, and other materials that wouldn’t have survived anywhere else in the world are frequently discovered in Egyptian tombs and pyramids. Far more organic material was preserved in Egypt than would have been the case in a non-desert environment.

This is in contrast to sites such as the Maya sites in Central America, which are much older but have yielded almost no organic material. The primary distinction is the environment—desert versus jungle.

Similar Stories
10 world’s most destructive and dangerous volcanic eruptions in history

10 world’s most destructive and dangerous volcanic eruptions in history

Volcanic eruptions can devastate cities, change the world's atmosphere, and devastate economic systems. They can create molten lava rivers, mudslides, suffocating ash, and poisonous gases that cause chaos around the world for years. A volcanic explosion's effects can be massive, from its size to its death toll to its economic cost. Here is ten world’s most destructive and dangerous volcanic eruptions in history.

Quaker Oats Fed Children with Radioactive Oatmeal

Quaker Oats Fed Children with Radioactive Oatmeal

In the 1940s and 1950s, Quaker Oats and MIT conducted experiments on radioactive iron and calcium-containing cereal. The diet was part of a study to see if the nutrients in Quaker oatmeal traveled throughout the body. In January 1998, a $1.85 million settlement was reached for 30 victims who came forward.

Nathan's Famous Doctor Stunt

Nathan's Famous Doctor Stunt

When Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs first opened in 1916, the owner hired people to dress as doctors and eat hot dogs outside his shop, to convince people his hot dogs were healthy.

What exactly was the US's 'Ghost Army' during WWII?

What exactly was the US's 'Ghost Army' during WWII?

During WW2, there was a special unit of men dubbed the ‘Ghost Army’. The unit was made of artists, creative and engineers and their job was to create deception about the enemy. From inflatable tanks to phony convoys to scripted conversations in bars intended to spread disinformation, they used all possible tricks to fool the enemy.

How 18th Century Women’s Rights Movements Shaped Modern Equality

How 18th Century Women’s Rights Movements Shaped Modern Equality

The 18th century marked a turning point in the quest for women’s rights, as passionate voices challenged centuries of gender inequality and laid the groundwork for modern feminism. From pioneers like Mary Wollstonecraft to revolutionary declarations and early advocacy, this era sparked debates on education, political participation, and social justice that continue to resonate today. Journey through the origins of women’s rights movements and discover how their bold ideas shaped the fight for equality.

Why the Word ‘Pen’ Comes from the Latin ‘Penna’ Meaning Feather

Why the Word ‘Pen’ Comes from the Latin ‘Penna’ Meaning Feather

The humble word “pen” carries a rich history rooted in ancient times, derived from the Latin word penna, meaning “feather.” Long before modern pens revolutionized writing, feather quills—especially from geese—were the essential tools of scribes, scholars, and artists. This article journeys through the origins of the pen, its evolution, and fascinating trivia about the timeless connection between feathers and writing.

George Dantzig solved two famous “unsolved” problems in statistics mistakenly as assignment

George Dantzig solved two famous “unsolved” problems in statistics mistakenly as assignment

In 1939, George Dantzig arrived late to his statistics class. On the board were two famous “unsolved” problems in statistics written as an example by his professor. Dantzig mistook the examples for homework assignments. He solved the “unsolved” problems and submitted the homework to his professor a few days later. His solutions earned him a doctorate.