NCERT Class 11 English Hornbill: Chapter 8 — Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues
This chapter, "Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues," from NCERT's Class 11 English Hornbill textbook, delves into the life and death of the young Egyptian pharaoh, Tutankhamun. It recounts the discovery of his tomb by Howard Carter in 1922, the subsequent speculation about his demise, and the recent CT scan conducted in 2005 to uncover new clues. The text highlights the rich funerary treasures found, the challenges Carter faced in preserving the mummy, and the ongoing quest to reconstruct an accurate forensic profile of the boyish pharaoh. This chapter provides insights into ancient Egyptian history, archaeology, and the scientific methods used to study the past, aiding students in understanding historical narratives and scientific inquiry within a CBSE curriculum.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Hornbill |
| Chapter | Chapter 8 — Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 604 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the historical significance of Tutankhamun's tomb discovery.
- Analyze the challenges and methods of archaeological research.
- Appreciate the role of scientific techniques like CT scans in historical studies.
- Infer the meaning of new vocabulary from context.
- Grasp the narrative structure and descriptive language used in historical accounts.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| forensic reconstruction | The scientific process of recreating the appearance of a person based on available evidence, often used in criminal investigations or historical studies. |
| funerary treasures | Valuable objects buried with a person as part of their funeral rites, intended for use in the afterlife. |
| scudded across | Moved quickly and lightly, often used to describe clouds or ships moving over water or land. |
| circumvented | Found a way around an obstacle or difficulty. |
| casket grey | A dark, somber shade of grey, often associated with mourning or death. |
| computed tomography | A medical imaging technique that uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body (also known as CT scan). |
| resurrection | The act of coming back to life after being dead; in this context, the eternal life promised by burial objects. |
| eerie detail | Strange, frightening, or mysterious details that create an unsettling atmosphere. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- Who discovered Tutankhamun's tomb and in what year? Answer: Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922.
- What was the purpose of the CT scan performed on Tut's mummy in 2005? Answer: The CT scan was performed to probe medical mysteries, gain clues about his life and death, and provide data for an accurate forensic reconstruction.
- What challenges did Howard Carter face when trying to remove the mummy from its coffin? Answer: The ritual resins had hardened, cementing Tut to the bottom of his solid gold coffin, making it impossible to move him with 'legitimate force'.
- What kind of objects were found buried with Tut besides gold artefacts? Answer: Tut was also buried with everyday items like board games, a bronze razor, linen undergarments, and cases of food and wine.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main subject of the chapter 'Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues'?
The chapter discusses the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, the condition of his mummy, and the scientific efforts to learn more about his life and death.
Who was Tutankhamun?
Tutankhamun was a young pharaoh of ancient Egypt, the last heir of a powerful dynasty, who died as a teenager.
When was Tutankhamun's tomb discovered?
Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter.
What modern technology was used to study Tut's mummy?
A CT scanner was used in 2005 to study Tut's mummy and gather new information.
What were some of the challenges faced by archaeologists like Howard Carter?
Challenges included the mummy being cemented to its coffin by hardened resins and the general deterioration of the mummy over time.
What does 'forensic reconstruction' mean in the context of the chapter?
It refers to using scientific data from scans and evidence to create an accurate physical representation of the pharaoh's appearance.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 11 English — Hornbill — Chapter 8 — Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.