Necklace with Falcon Pendant from Tutankhamun’s Tomb
18th Dynasty, reign of Tutankhamun, c. 1336–1327 B.C.
Gold inlaid with carnelian, chalcedony, and colored glass paste.

This exquisite necklace, found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun, features a falcon pendant symbolizing divine protection and kingship.

King Tutankhamun, often called King Tut, reigned over Egypt from 1332 to 1323 B.C. He ascended the throne as a young boy of about eight or nine years old, under the guidance of influential figures such as Ay, the Grand Vizier—possibly his maternal grandfather—and Horemheb, the military’s commander-in-chief.

Although celebrated today, Tutankhamun’s reign was brief and held little significance in the broader scope of Egyptian history. His true prominence emerged only after his death, with the remarkable discovery of his nearly intact tomb and mummy in 1922, which offered extraordinary insights into ancient Egyptian civilization.

Among his most notable accomplishments was the restoration of the cult of Amun-Ra and the return to polytheistic worship, reversing the radical religious reforms instituted by his father, Akhenaten.