Crucial detail 'long-overlooked' about Tutankhamun's death mask sheds new light on the 3,300-year-old legend

A crucial detail that has been ‘long overlooked’ when it comes to Tutankhamun’s death mask has now had some new light shed onto it.

The death mask was uncovered in 1922 along with the discovery of the pharaoh’s lavish tomb.

Tutankhamun’s final resting place is located in the Valley of the Kings which is along the west bank of the River Nile.

Tutankhamun's death mask has left researchers looking for answers (Romilly Lockyer/Getty Images)

Death masks were used by both pharaohs and subjects in ancient Egypt and was a way for them to honor the dead.

And while Tutankhamun’s mask is considered to be a masterpiece, it’s now been speculated that it wasn’t actually intended for him to wear.

A research team at the University of York has studied the mask and now say that the ear holes make it appear that it was actually meant to be worn by a child or female.

They have shared their theory that because his death at the age of 18 was so sudden, then it’s possible that his face was put on top of the original intended owner of the mask.

The king reigned from the tender age of nine years old until his death in 1323 BCE.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Professor Joann Fletcher said: “This mask was not made for an adult male pharaoh when the gold was compared, [they found] the face is made of completely different gold to the rest.”

The team also looked at the original records from the 1922 excavation of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

The pharaoh died at the age of 18 (Nick Brundle Photography/Getty Images)

In the documents, it said: “Honed in on one long-overlooked feature... the decidedly pierced ears [on the death mask.”

However, piercings like this would have been only made for queens.

That isn’t all, there are other clues that indicate the burial of the king might have been rushed.

Researchers who explored his tomb noted that there were blotches of paint visible on the walls.

This means that it’s likely that the walls hadn’t actually dried by the time the tomb was sealed shut.

It’s also notable that Tutankhamun’s tomb is a lot smaller than would be expected for his status.

According to Professor Fletcher: “This is the tomb that was intended for Tutankhamun, the tomb of Ay.

“To deepen the enigma, dark spots are scattered across the walls of King Tut's tomb marks that scores of experts point to as a sign the paint was still wet when the tomb was sealed, hinting at the hurried nature of its completion.”