Art Around the World World Art    

Lesson 9: Golden Mask of Tutankhamun

by Ancient Egyptian Artists

Directions

Study the artwork for one week.

Over the week:

• Examine the artwork.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Recite the artist and artwork names.
• Read about the art region or artist.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

The 'Golden Mask of Tutankhamun' shows the death mask of the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun that was discovered in a tomb in 1925. The mask is made from gold, colored glass, and gemstones. Did you know the mask may not have been intended for Tutankhamun? The name of Queen Neferneferuaten was inscribed inside the mask. Tutankhamun's headcloth features a cobra, the royal Egyptian insignia, and a vulture, representing Tutankhamun's rule of Egypt.

Vocabulary

Ancient: Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence.
Egyptian: Relating to Egypt or its people.
Pharaoh: A ruler in ancient Egypt.
Mask: A covering for all or part of the face, worn as a disguise, or to amuse or terrify other people.
Death Mask: A plaster cast taken of a deceased person's face, used to make a mask or model.
Tomb: A large vault, typically an underground one, for burying the dead.
Gold: A yellow precious metal.
Gemstone: A precious or semiprecious stone, especially one cut, polished, and used in a piece of jewelry.
Insignia: A distinguishing mark or token of something.
Vulture: A large bird of prey with the head and neck more or less bare of feathers.
Headcloth: A cloth covering the head.

Concepts

1. The artist or artists who created this work were ancient Egyptians.
2. 'Ancient Egyptian art is the painting, sculpture, architecture and other arts produced by the civilization of ancient Egypt in the lower Nile Valley from about 3000 BC to 30 AD.' (Wikipedia.org)
3. Egypt is a country in North Eastern Africa. Study the shape of Egypt on the map below.

4. Zoom in and find Egypt on the map of Africa below.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Study the Gemstones in the Mask

See below pictures of gemstones used in the mask. Do your best to find each gemstone in the image of the mask below.

• Lapis Lazuli (Eyebrows, Surrounding the eyes)

• Quartz (Eyes)

• Obsidian (Pupils)

• Carnelian (Collar)

• Feldspar (Collar)

• Turquoise (Collar)

• Amazonite (Collar)

• Faience (Collar)

Activity 2: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the mask:

• Gold
• Gemstones (listed above)
• Beard
• Eyes
• Cobra
• Vulture
• Headcloth
• Pierced Ears

Activity 3: Describe the Mask

• After studying the mask, describe it aloud using your own words.

Activity 4: Complete Vocabulary Activities

• While studying the new words, point out any you see in the mask picture.
• Define each of the vocabulary words in your own words.

Activity 5: Color the Map   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 16 of 'Art History Coloring Pages for Second Grade.'

Activity 6: Color the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 17 of 'Art History Coloring Pages for Second Grade.'

Review

Question 1

Who was Tutankhamun?

1 / 5

Answer 1

Tutankhamun was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh.

1 / 5

Question 2

Where did Tutankhamun live?

2 / 5

Answer 2

Tutankhamun lived in ancient Egypt.

2 / 5

Question 3

What is a tomb?

3 / 5

Answer 3

A tomb is a large vault, typically an underground one, for burying the dead.

3 / 5

Question 4

What is a death mask?

4 / 5

Answer 4

A death mask is a plaster cast taken of a deceased person's face, used to make a mask or model.

4 / 5

Question 5

What materials were used to make Tutankhamun's mask?

5 / 5

Answer 5

The mask was made from gold, colored glass, and gemstones.

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. Who was Tutankhamun? Tutankhamun was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh.
2. Where did Tutankhamun live? Tutankhamun lived in ancient Egypt.
3. What is a tomb? A tomb is a large vault, typically an underground one, for burying the dead.
4. What is a death mask? A death mask is a plaster cast taken of a deceased person's face, used to make a mask or model.
5. What materials were used to make Tutankhamun's mask? The mask was made from gold, colored glass, and gemstones.

References

'Tutankhamun's mask.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Art of ancient Egypt.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Curse of the pharaohs.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.