NILE Magazine

Because You Love Ancient Egypt
  • Home
  • DIGITAL EDITION
  • Subscribe
  • Past Issues
  • Free Samples
  • About NILE
  • Home
  • DIGITAL EDITION
  • Subscribe
  • Past Issues
  • Free Samples
  • About NILE

2015 February

Beard Damage, Sat 24th Jan 2015  1A - Hassan Ammar.png

TUT'S BEARD KNOCKED OFF ... AGAIN

Jeff Burzacott February 10, 2015

This isn’t the first time Tutankhamun’s beard has been glued on.

When the king’s golden mask was first revealed in 1925 the beard was still in place, proclaiming Tutankhamun’s divinity and connection with Osiris, lord of the Underworld.

It was held in place with a pin that fitted a hole under the mask’s chin.  The beard is heavy, more than two kilograms, and it broke off when the mask was first removed from Tutankhamun’s head.

Tutankhamun's mask was first displayed in the Egyptian Museum it was without the beard attached.

In 1944 it was decided to reattach the beard – with glue.  It is that 1940s glue that has been holding the beard in place ever since.

This was until late last year when the mask almost fell when the display case bumped it as it was being lifted off.

The curator grabbed the mask to break the fall and the beard separated.

Once again they reached for the glue.  Unfortunately this time it was a rushed job and the glue was applied messily.

Thankfully we are reassured by Christian Eckmann, a German restoration expert called in by the Egyptian Museum, that the incredibly strong epoxy glue can be reversed, and the proper conservation measures taken.

Here is a clear photo of the newly glued-on beard, taken last Saturday, 24th January, by Hassan Ammar.

  • 2015 February
  • Older
  • Newer
Satisfy your passion for ancient Egypt.NILE Magazine June-July 2017 is out now. Inside:- The Tomb-1000 years of robbery and reuse.- Egypt's first ever funerary garden discovered.- World Museum's new ancient Egypt gallery.- Art and Archaeol…

Satisfy your passion for ancient Egypt.
NILE Magazine June-July 2017 is out now. Inside:
- The Tomb-1000 years of robbery and reuse.
- Egypt's first ever funerary garden discovered.
- World Museum's new ancient Egypt gallery.
- Art and Archaeology meet: the two worlds of Susan Osgood.
- The Royal Tombs of Ancient Egypt.
- Aswan's powerful governors.
- On This Day in Egyptology history.
- Plus much more.

Click on the cover to subscribe.

Featured
Mar 25, 2017
Dark, isn't it? Happy Earth Hour!
Mar 25, 2017

I love that we know the Great Sphinx so well, we can pick it from just the silhouette.

Read More →
Mar 25, 2017
Mar 24, 2017
Intact Middle Kingdom tomb discovered in Aswan
Mar 24, 2017

Shemai was the younger brother of Sarenput II, the powerful governor of Elephantine.

Read More →
Mar 24, 2017
Mar 4, 2017
The Dream Stela restored
Mar 4, 2017

The Ministry of Antiquities is working to preserve Thutmose IV's fanciful story.

Read More →
Mar 4, 2017
  • Contact NILE
  • Index
  • Write for Nile
  • Join The Team
  • FAQs
  • Societies & Clubs

All rights reserved © Nile Magazine 2024

NILE Magazine

Because You Love Ancient Egypt