Tutankhamun was buried in a royal underground tomb in the Valley of Kings which was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb revealed several rooms, such as the antechamber, annex, treasury and burial chamber. These rooms were significant as they were filled with vast treasures, paintings and inscription artefacts that allowed historians to further their understanding of life and death in Ancient Egypt and the intricate mummification process. Tutankhamun's tomb reveals that Egyptians had a profound belief in a life that continues after death. Therefore, the artefacts found in the Pharaoh's tomb were placed there as it was believed the objects would help him in the afterlife. Each artefact aided historians to develop their understanding of life, death and mummification.
The significance of the tomb is the discovery of various artifacts found, that show both sacred and secular life in Ancient Egypt. By examining these artifacts as primary sources, historians are able to discover more details regarding King Tutankhamun's significant military role of the Pharaoh and the overall beliefs about death and afterlife in Ancient Egypt. Archeologists are also able to identify the customs, traditions and beliefs of the Ancient Egyptians and reveal more knowledge regarding the mummification process.
The discovery of the Shabtis developed our knowledge and understanding of the Egyptian belief in the afterlife. Shabtis were small figurines of adult male and female forms that the Ancient Egyptians believed would come to life in the afterlife and relieve the deceased of any work duties. In King Tutankhamun's tomb 413 Shabtis were found to carry out heavy manual tasks on behalf of the Pharaoh himself. Shabtis were made of stone, glass, bronze, wood, pottery, wax and most commonly, faience. Shabtis were generally considered to have been made in workshops attached to temples and palaces.