Researchers claim Tutankhamun’s burial mask may have originally been made for a woman – but there is reason to doubt

Tutankhamun's gold burial mask. Roland Unger, CC BY-SA

Since the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt over 100 years ago, the contents have been examined countless times. But new details continue to surprise archaeologists.

Recently, a team at the University of York has been investigating the pierced ears of Tutankhamun’s burial mask. It’s a feature that, the team claims, was usually reserved for female or young royalty.