--- title: The Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62), Thebes, c. 1323 BCE: The Boy King and the Tomb That Rewrote Egyptology author: Simeon Netchev source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16740/the-tomb-of-tutankhamun-kv62-thebes-c-1323-bce/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) updated: 2026-03-02 --- # The Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62), Thebes, c. 1323 BCE: The Boy King and the Tomb That Rewrote Egyptology _Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_ ## Image File [![The Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62), Thebes, c. 1323 BCE: The Boy King and the Tomb That Rewrote Egyptology](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/16740.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/16740.png) ## Image Caption The [tomb](https://www.worldhistory.org/tomb/) of [Tutankhamun](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tutankhamun/) (c. 1345–1323 BCE; reign c. 1332–1323 BCE), located in the Valley of the Kings, offers a rare and largely intact snapshot of royal [burial](https://www.worldhistory.org/burial/) practice during [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/)’s [New Kingdom](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/New_Kingdom/) (c. 1550–1070 BCE). Although Tutankhamun’s reign fell within the late 18th Dynasty and followed the religious upheavals of the [Amarna period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Amarna_Period_of_Egypt/), his relatively modest political role contrasts sharply with the global impact of his tomb’s discovery. The layout, comprising an antechamber, annex, burial chamber, and treasury, reflects both continuity in royal funerary tradition and the constraints of a hastily prepared burial, likely due to his unexpected [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/). Tutankhamun ascended the throne as a child (c. 1332 BCE) and ruled for approximately a decade, restoring traditional religious practices after the reforms of his father, [Akhenaten](https://www.worldhistory.org/Akhenaten/), (reign c. 1353–1336 BCE). His cause of death remains debated, with medical analyses suggesting a combination of illness, genetic vulnerability, and possible injury rather than assassination. The tomb (KV62), discovered in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter, contained over 5,000 artifacts, including the iconic [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/) funerary mask. Its extraordinary preservation has provided unparalleled evidence for New Kingdom craftsmanship, royal ideology, and mortuary ritual, reshaping modern understanding of ancient [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) kingship and burial [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/). #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Netchev, S. (2026, March 02). The Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62), Thebes, c. 1323 BCE: The Boy King and the Tomb That Rewrote Egyptology. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Netchev, Simeon. "The Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62), Thebes, c. 1323 BCE: The Boy King and the Tomb That Rewrote Egyptology." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 02, 2026. . ### MLA Netchev, Simeon. "The Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62), Thebes, c. 1323 BCE: The Boy King and the Tomb That Rewrote Egyptology." *World History Encyclopedia*, 02 Mar 2026, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 02 March 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.