Current Date: 07 Mar, 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
The History Behind the “No One Dies Alone” Program

The History Behind the “No One Dies Alone” Program

In 1986, while doing a night shift at the hospital, Sandra Clarke, a registered nurse, was asked by an elderly patient to stay. She promised to be back after checking on her other patients, but by the time she returned, the gentleman had passed away. Clarke became one of the key figures in launching No One Dies Alone, a program that allows volunteers to sit with terminal patients who have no one else.

The Arabia Steamboat: Unearthing a 19th Century Time Capsule from the Missouri River

The Arabia Steamboat: Unearthing a 19th Century Time Capsule from the Missouri River

The Arabia was a steamboat that sank in the Missouri River in 1856. Over time, the river shifted 800 meters to the east, eventually turning the site of the sinking into a field. The steamboat remained under 45 feet of slit and topsoil until 1988, when it was excavated. The mud, as it turned out, was such a great preserver that most of the artifacts on board were found to be intact. They even found jars of preserved apples that were still edible!

The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry

The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry

Before women were allowed to enroll in medical school, Margaret Ann Bulkley studied medicine and assumed the identity of Dr. James Barry for 56 years while dressing as a man. After 46 years of service as an army doctor officer, her secret was not made public until after her death in 1865.

Why Comedians Failed to Make Sober Sue Laugh in the Early 1900s

Why Comedians Failed to Make Sober Sue Laugh in the Early 1900s

In the bustling vaudeville scene of early 20th century New York, a mysterious performer known as "Sober Sue" captured public imagination not for jokes or songs, but for her unshakable stoicism—she never smiled or laughed. A local theater even offered a tempting reward of $1,000 to anyone who could make her laugh, drawing crowds and famous comedians eager to claim the prize. Despite countless hilarious attempts, Sue remained expressionless, a mystery that baffled performers and audiences until it was revealed that she suffered from facial paralysis, explaining her unchanging demeanor.

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.

The day Iceland's women went on strike

The day Iceland's women went on strike

Icelandic women went on strike for equal rights on October 24, 1975. 90% of women walked out of their jobs and homes, effectively shutting down the entire country. The men were struggling to keep up. The following year, Parliament passed a law requiring equal pay. Iceland elected the world's first female President five years later. Iceland now has the highest gender equality rate in the world.

8 Interesting Facts About The Unsinkable Ship, TITANIC

8 Interesting Facts About The Unsinkable Ship, TITANIC

If you ask your friends what's the most famous ship in history the answer in most cases will be the same, of course the legendary Titanic. Its history is full of mysteries, at first it was a source of hope and national pride as well as proof of the triumphs of mankind but it soon became a source of nostalgia and pain, the extent of which cannot be described in words.

Keith Sapsford: The Story of 14-Year-Old Stowaway

Keith Sapsford: The Story of 14-Year-Old Stowaway

The final image of 14-year-old Australian Keith Sapsford, who aspired to travel the world. In February 1970, he sneaked into the wheel-well of a plane flying from Sydney to Tokyo. It opened mid-air & fell out. When a photographer was testing a new lens, he captured this moment on film and was surprised when it developed.

Top 10 most cruel medical procedures that are being used today

Top 10 most cruel medical procedures that are being used today

We are all aware that medicine has advanced dramatically over the last fifty years. There are several modern medical approaches available today, but this was not always the case. However, the past of medicine is a dark one. Medical leeches, lobotomy, vascular surgery, cranial stenosis, and even electroshock therapy are all options. These are only a couple of the cruel healing techniques that are still in use today.

Poto And Cabengo: The Secret Language Of Twins

Poto And Cabengo: The Secret Language Of Twins

Poto and Cabengo, as the two girls called each other, communicated in their own language. The twins were ignored by their parents and secluded from the outside world because their father felt they were developmentally retarded, and their unique language evolved as a result of that neglect.