The tomb painting on the blue baboon wall and the painting of Osiris leading Tutankamun into the next life reveals the polytheistic nature of the ancient Egyptian religion. This is evident in the fact that there are numerous gods from that of the baboon deities, to the God Khephri (scarab bettle) and the god Osris and goddess Nut. The double image of Tutankhamun in the other wall painting reveals the religious belief that a person is made of different parts that is the physical side and the ka or his spiritual double. The idea that the in order to reach immortality, one must go through a journey, as symbolised by a journey on a celestial boat through the heavens is another indication of their religious beliefs. The portrait head of Tutankhamun rising out of a blue lotus flower, reflects the Egyptian belief that life grew out of a primeval mound, as a result of observing the annual flooding of the Nile. This creation myth is at the heart of many of their religious myths.
The golden burial mask, sheds light on the Egyptian belief in the afterlife, as one which in its initial stage as being dangerous because the presence of the cobras (ureus) is there to spit venom into anyone who might harm the king. The ornate quality of this mask reflects a deeply seated notion of the afterlife. The fact that the mask is supposed to protect the body reflects the Egyptian belief in the afterlife where bodies need to be preserved in order to unify the physical components of the body with its ka. The ankh, which Tutankhamun holds, and the presence of the god Khephri is a reflection of the belief that death is a rebirth into the next world. The wooden miniature effigy of the king, placed in tombs as a substitute for the deceased in case the god Osiris orders him to perform manual labour in the next life is indicative of a very strong belief in the afterlife. The presence of the canopic shrine, protected by the four goddesses who role was to “Protect you …driving our those who come against you“ (according to one primary source) indicates a strong belief in the bodily resurrection of the person into the next life. Pieces of furniture such as chairs, painted caskets and golden perfume cases are all objects which reflect the belief in eternal life after death.
The golden burial mask apart form serving religious purposes also shows the role of Pharaoh in New Kingdom Egypt as protector of upper and lower Egypt. This is evident as the vulture and the cobra symbolise the two different states, united under the role of the Pharaoh. The golden harpooner statue of the king is shown to be an impersonation of the god Horus in human form, that is Egyptians believed that their king was a god. This is so because his position alludes to the position of Horus when he tried to spear Seti, the evil brother of Osiris.
The presence of wine jars and paintings of everyday life sheds light on the everyday Egyptians. For example, wine was seen as a luxury in ancient Egypt though beer was not. From the presence of numerous sweet jars of wine it can be concluded that Tutankhamun in his lifetime enjoyed this beverage. The numerous paintings of everyday life for example scenes of hunting and gathering grapes are reflections of everyday activities that commonly occurred along the dark fertile Nile.
The beauty of objects such as the golden burial mask, the necklace with the vulture pendant and ornaments such as the scarab bracelet and the mirror case is indicative of a technologically advanced society. The availability of gold and to a lesser extent silver, was partly the result of trading to areas such as the Aegean.
In conclusion, it can be seen that from the archaeological evidence presented, conclusions about the way of life in Tutankhamun’s time can be drawn. Archaeology provides extensive evidence concerning Egyptian religion, the afterlife, and the role of a Pharaoh and the technologically advanced state of Egypt at that time.
