Why is Tutankhamun significant?

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Tutankhamun (sometimes called “King Tut”) was an ancient Egyptian king. He ruled from 1333 BCE until his death in 1323 BCE. His tomb is more significant than his short reign. The discovery of Tutankhamun’s largely intact tomb in 1922 is considered one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in the modern era.