KING Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus has been pictured outside his tomb for the first time since its discovery 100 years ago.

The Egyptian boy king’s gold-plated coffin – believed by some to be cursed – is being urgently restored along with thousands of other artefacts for a new museum exhibit.

Archaeologists are racing to repair the damaged sarcophagus, which is now weak and cracking apart.

“Preliminary examination carried out on the outer coffin inside the tomb revealed that it was suffered from general weakness,” said Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities in a statement.

“It had also developed cracks in its gilded layers of plaster, especially those of the lid and base.

“An immediate intervention to restore the coffin inside a suitable environment is now required.”



It’s the first time that the coffin has ever been worked on by archaeologists since discovery.

British archaeologist Haward Carter discovered the tomb of the 18th dynasty king in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor in 1922. The tomb was untouched and included about 5,000 artefacts.

Many believe Tut’s remains are cursed as the opening of his tomb was followed by a string of deaths of people involved with the discovery.

Archaeologists, and even their family members, died from horrible illnesses or in strange accidents – and some say the deaths weren’t a coincidence.

Tut’s sarcophagus and the treasured collection of his tomb are expected to be the centrepiece of the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) that Egypt will open next year near the Pyramids of Giza..

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