The discovery of his tomb by British archaeologist Howard Carter over 3,000 years later, however, was of major historical significance. Tutankhamun's reign in ancient Egypt from about 1347 to 1339 B.C. So when Lord Canarvon (the wealthy man who financed the search for Tut) died from an infected mosquito bite on his cheek, the newspapers invented a story that it was because Tutankhamun’s tomb was cursed.Excerpts from 'the first rough draft of history' as reported in The Washington Post on this date in the 20th century.

With the world gripped by Ancient-Egyptian fever, the media were desperate to publish new, exciting stories. The discovery caused a sensation, and the little-known king instantly became the most famous Pharaoh on the planet. It was the only Ancient Egyptian royal tomb ever found intact. When Howard and his Crew entered the tomb, they were greeted with thousands of spectacular treasures that had been left almost untouched, more than 3,300 years after the Egyptian Pharaoh’s death. Then, just when he was about to give up, one of his crew – a young boy who was a water fetcher – found a stair carved into the rock. But after 8 years of searching he had found nothing. Howard became convinced that Tut’s tomb was buried somewhere in the Valley of the Kings. Howard had spent many years excavating the tombs of Egyptian kings and queens when he came across a cup etched with the name of an obscure pharaoh – Tutankhamun. The tomb was found by British archaeologist Howard Carter in November 1922. But the cause of his death remains a mystery today! Finding Tut’s tomb Some Egyptologists believe King Tut may have died in a chariot crash. The Boy King died just ten years later and he was buried in a golden coffin surrounded by 5,000 priceless treasures, including animal statues, jewellery, clothes, weapons and even toys. King Tutankhamun (King Tut for short!) became ruler of Ancient Egypt when he was just nine years old. To celebrate the anniversary of the incredible tomb’s discovery, 150 artefacts from the burial site are on display at the Saatchi Gallery in London, more than 60 of which have never been seen outside of Egypt. It’s almost 100 years since ‘Boy King’ Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered. Now’s your last chance to see its treasures before they’re returned to Egypt…

Treasures of Pharaoh Tut