What does the King Tutankhamun necklace fragment reveal?

It reveals lost rituals that reinforced loyalty among elites and served as a tool of royal control.

How were ancient Egyptian elites controlled?

Elites were controlled through royal gifts like broad collars, religious symbolism, and social obligations.

Where was the King Tutankhamun necklace fragment found?

A fragment of the necklace was discovered in the Myers Collection at Eton College in the UK.

Home / Science / King Tut's Necklace: A Tool of Royal Control

King Tut's Necklace: A Tool of Royal Control

21 Nov, 2025

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Summary

An ancient necklace fragment reveals rituals reinforcing elite loyalty.
The artifact depicts King Tutankhamun drinking from a lotus cup.
Royal gifts, like broad collars, were used to cement allegiance.

King Tut's Necklace: A Tool of Royal Control

A fragment of an ancient necklace, discovered in the UK and depicting King Tutankhamun, has shed light on lost rituals that solidified loyalty among Egyptian elites. This artifact, part of a broad collar, was not merely decorative but served as a calculated tool of royal control.

Researchers suggest that these collars were gifted at elite banquets, symbolizing royal endorsement and divine approval. The imagery on the artifact, including the blue crown and lotus cup, carries potent symbolism of rebirth, fertility, and divine blessing, reinforcing the king's power.

These rituals highlight how Tutankhamun's court used religious prestige and obligation to bind its elites, maintaining Egypt's strict social hierarchy. The necklace fragment thus provides a unique window into ancient Egyptian methods of governance and social control.