In November 1922, British antiquarian Howard Carter discovered the first flight of Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. It seems that over the past 103 years, the number of mysteries surrounding this site has only increased compared to the initial count. Rumors about the curse of the most famous pharaoh’s tomb have not subsided for a century, but now, the threat seems to loom not so much over the archaeologists as over the burial chamber itself. Critical Situation Tutankhamun’s necropolis has once again come into the focus of world attention. In October 2025, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities was forced to issue an official denial to alarming reports about the deplorable condition of the famous burial site. The authorities firmly dismissed information spread in the media and social networks regarding cracks in the tomb through which groundwater is якобы seeping, creating a risk of collapse. According to the ministry’s official statement, the latest scientific research has recorded no changes or deterioration in the condition of the burial chamber since its discovery in 1922. Nevertheless, these assertions contradict the opinion of a group of scientists from Cairo University, who insist on the presence of serious danger. A Crumbling Tomb Professor Sayed Hemada, an expert in architectural heritage preservation, warns of a network of cracks in the ceiling area of the entrance and the burial chamber. According to his data, rainwater penetrates through these fissures, which not only erodes the precious wall frescoes but also promotes the development of mold. Of particular concern is the Esna rock from which the tomb is carved – it changes its volume with humidity fluctuations, exacerbating the probability of collapse. In the professor’s opinion, the growing crack creates a stress exceeding the rock’s load-bearing capacity. In the worst-case scenario, this could lead to a “rock explosion” – a sudden destruction of the walls. His colleague, Professor Mohamed Attia Hawash, adds that a catastrophe could occur at any moment if immediate measures are not taken. Underground Metropolis: How the Ancient City of Chichaburg Got Lost in the Siberian Steppes Mysteries of the Meteorite Dagger While experts cannot agree on the state of the tomb, archaeologists continue to unravel the secrets of its treasures. One of the most intriguing artifacts remains the pharaoh’s iron dagger, whose origin remained unclear for a long time. In 2016, researchers determined that the blade contains 10.8% nickel and 0.58% cobalt – a composition typical of meteoric iron. A 2022 study definitively confirmed the extraterrestrial origin of the metal, determining that the material was an octahedrite – a common type of iron meteorite. Scientists hypothesize that the dagger could have been a diplomatic gift from the ruler of Mitanni, Tushratta, who, according to the Amarna Letters, sent iron objects to Tutankhamun’s grandfather, Amenhotep III. Rethinking the Pharaoh’s Image Modern research is forcing a re-evaluation of the established image of Tutankhamun as a frail and sickly young man. Egyptologist Bob Brier points to war chariots, leather armor, and archery equipment found in the tomb. Recently discovered temple reliefs depict the young pharaoh leading war chariots, indicating his possible participation in military campaigns. “Doomsday Radio” is Back on Air: What is Encrypted in Its Message Hasty Burial Analysis of Tutankhamun’s three sarcophagi revealed signs of hasty construction: unfinished carvings, use of disparate materials. Researchers believe that the sudden death of the 19-year-old ruler caught the court off guard, and they had no more than 70 days – the time required for mummification – to create a suitable burial chamber. A century after its discovery, Tutankhamun’s tomb continues to hold its secrets. Poised between the threat of destruction and new scientific discoveries, it reaffirms its status as one of humanity’s greatest archaeological mysteries.
About the Author
