archeology
Riddles about valuable grave goods: Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s dagger comes from space
Two daggers were found in Tutankhamun’s tomb: one with a gold blade (above), the other with an iron blade
© robertharding / Imago Images
Researchers have determined the type of meteorite from which the blade of a dagger found in the tomb of the legendary pharaoh Tutankhamen came. There are also new insights into the origin of the valuable weapon.
For many years, the dagger of Pharaoh Tutankhamun puzzled experts. His nearly untouched grave was discovered in 1922, and the 34 centimeter long weapon was found among the grave goods. What amazed the archaeologists: The richly decorated dagger was made of iron – a material that the Egyptians were not able to produce during Tutankhamun’s lifetime a good 3,400 years ago. Nor was the iron rusted after all this time.
A new study published in the journal “Meteoritics & Planetary Science” now solidifies a theory that has been advocated by researchers for several years: It is highly probable that the blade of the dagger came from space, more precisely from a fallen meteorite. The material was then processed on earth. The archaeologists also found that the weapon was probably made outside of Egypt and was given to Tutankhamun or his ancestors as a gift. The Egyptian pharaoh reigned from about 1332 to 1323 BC. At that time iron objects had a higher value than gold.
Tutankhamun’s dagger probably came from an octahedrite
The researchers carried out detailed X-ray examinations on the piece, which is on display in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. They came across so-called Widmanstätten structures, which are typical of octahedrites, the most common group of nickel-iron meteorites. The scientists should have succeeded in proving for the first time which type of meteorite the blade came from. “That was our wow moment,” said Tomoko Arai, a planetary researcher at Chiba Technical University in Japan and co-author of the study, explaining the significance of the find to the “Gizmodo” portal.
The existing Widmanstätten structures also allow conclusions to be drawn about how the blade was made. At very high temperatures, these characteristic structures would disappear. Iron sulphides were also discovered in black spots on the blade. From the researchers’ point of view, both indicate that the blade was forged at relatively low temperatures of less than 950 degrees Celsius.
A gift from the King of Mitanni
The scientists were also able to gain insights into where the “heavenly iron”, as the material from space was also called by the ancient Egyptians, came from. The golden handle set with precious stones provided indications that the weapon could not originally have come from the realm of the pharaohs. The diamonds had been applied with lime plaster, a material not used in Egypt until much later.
According to the authors, the dagger was probably a gift from the Syrian empire of Mitanni to Tutankhamun’s grandfather on the occasion of the pharaoh’s marriage to his daughter. This coincides with Egyptian records from the 14th century BC, which speak of such a gift. The extremely valuable weapon may then have been passed on as a family heirloom.
Pharaoh at the age of nine
Tutankhamun ascended the throne as pharaoh of the 18th dynasty at a very early age, around the age of nine. His reign lasted only a few years, the king died at the age of 18 to 20, as studies on the mummy showed. The cause of death is unclear despite much speculation. Tutankhamun was buried in the Valley of the Kings near Thebes, the capital of the Egyptian Empire at the time.
Swell: “Meteorics & Planetary Sciences” / “Gizmodo”