Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues | Lesson 3 | English | Class 11th | Summary | Questions and Answers |

 

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English | Class 11th | Hornbill | NCERT

Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues | Lesson 3 | Summary | Questions and Answers |

 

Short Summary

            "Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues" by A.R. Williams explores the ongoing fascination with the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, commonly known as King Tut. The narrative recounts the discovery of his tomb in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter, which sparked global interest in ancient Egypt. The tomb’s treasures and the mystery surrounding Tutankhamun’s death intrigued historians and scientists alike.

The chapter delves into modern scientific methods used to analyse Tut's mummy, including CT scans, to uncover the cause of his death. Various theories about his death, such as murder or a fatal injury, are discussed, but no definitive conclusion has been reached. The text emphasizes how advances in technology continue to reveal new insights about the life and death of this young pharaoh.

Overall, the chapter highlights the blend of archaeology, science, and the enduring mystery surrounding King Tut, as efforts to understand his legacy continue even centuries after his reign.

 

Understanding the Text

1. Give reasons for the following.

(i) King Tut’s body has been subjected to repeated scrutiny.

Answer: King Tut's body has been repeatedly examined due to the mystery surrounding his untimely death. Historians and scientists are keen to understand the cause of his death at such a young age and to uncover more information about his life, reign, and burial practices. Advances in technology, like CT scans, have enabled researchers to re-examine his mummy for clues.

(ii) Howard Carter’s investigation was resented.

Answer: Howard Carter’s investigation of Tutankhamun’s tomb was resented because many felt that his methods were invasive and disrespectful. He was criticized for damaging the mummy during the unwrapping process and for using rough techniques like chiseling away the solidified resins, which some thought lacked regard for the ancient Egyptian traditions of preserving the dead.

(iii) Carter had to chisel away the solidified resins to raise the king’s remains.

Answer: The solidified resins used in the burial had hardened over time, effectively gluing King Tut’s mummy to the bottom of the coffin. The heat in the tomb had further solidified the resins. Carter was forced to chisel through the hardened material because no other method, including using hot sun or solvents, could loosen the mummy from its resting place without causing severe damage.

(iv) Tut’s body was buried along with gilded treasures.

Answer: King Tutankhamun was buried with numerous gilded treasures to accompany him in the afterlife, a common practice in ancient Egyptian culture for royalty. Egyptians believed in an afterlife where the deceased would need material possessions, food, and wealth, so his tomb was filled with objects of great value and symbolic significance.

(v) The boy king changed his name from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun.

Answer: King Tut changed his name from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun to reflect a political and religious shift. His father, Akhenaten, had attempted to replace Egypt’s traditional polytheistic religion with the worship of a single god, Aten (the sun disc). After Akhenaten’s death, Tut restored the traditional worship of Amun and reinstated the polytheistic beliefs, hence changing his name to honour the god Amun.

2.

(i) List the deeds that led Ray Johnson to describe Akhenaten as “wacky”.

Answer: Ray Johnson described Akhenaten as "wacky" because:

i. Akhenaten initiated a religious revolution by abandoning Egypt’s traditional polytheism and promoting the worship of a single god, Aten (the sun disc).

ii. He shifted the capital from Thebes to a new city called Akhetaten (modern-day Amarna).

iii. His unorthodox reign and the rejection of traditional gods were seen as radical and disruptive to Egyptian society.

(ii) What were the results of the CT scan?

Answer: The CT scan of King Tut’s body provided detailed images and new insights. It ruled out any immediate evidence of a violent death (e.g., no skull fracture), although it did show some damage to the body, which was likely caused during the embalming process or after death. The scan revealed a broken leg, which might have contributed to his death, and other minor deformities, but no definitive cause of death was determined.

(iii) List the advances in technology that have improved forensic analysis.

Answer: Advances in technology that have improved forensic analysis include:

CT scans: Provide detailed 3D images of mummies without damaging them.

DNA Testing: Helps identify familial relationships and genetic disorders.

X-rays: Used to examine the internal structure of remains and artifacts.

Carbon Dating: Used to estimate the age of historical remains.

Electron Microscopy: For analysing minute details of materials.

(iv) Explain the statement, “King Tut is one of the first mummies to be scanned — in death, as in life...”

Answer: This statement means that King Tut continues to attract attention and be at the forefront of scientific inquiry, even in death. Just as his reign was significant during his life, his mummy has become one of the most studied and scanned in modern times, symbolizing how his legacy endures through both ancient history and modern science. The use of cutting-edge technology to study his remains mirrors his prominence in life.

 

Talking about the text

Discuss the following in groups of two pairs, each pair in a group taking opposite points of view.

1. Scientific intervention is necessary to unearth buried mysteries.

Answer:

For:

   Scientific intervention helps uncover historical facts that are hidden beneath the surface, offering invaluable insights into ancient civilizations, their customs, and their technology. Without such tools, significant discoveries like King Tut’s tomb, fossils, and ancient artifacts would remain unknown, and much of our understanding of history would be incomplete. Technology like DNA analysis, CT scans, and carbon dating helps clarify the mysteries of the past.

Against:

   Some argue that scientific intervention, especially when it involves disturbing burial sites, can be disrespectful to the deceased and their culture. Uncovering these mysteries often damages artifacts or disrupts religious practices and burial sites. Additionally, not all mysteries need to be unearthed, as they might hold spiritual or cultural significance that should be left undisturbed.

2. Advanced technology gives us conclusive evidence of past events.

Answer:

For:

   Advanced technology, such as carbon dating, DNA testing, and CT scanning, provides precise and reliable evidence about past events, allowing us to draw accurate conclusions. These technologies minimize guesswork, giving us scientific data to confirm or refute historical theories. The development of forensic science also provides clearer insights into causes of death, ancient diseases, and social practices.

Against:

   While technology gives us significant information, it doesn’t always offer conclusive answers. Many ancient mysteries, such as the exact cause of King Tut’s death or the purpose of certain structures like Stonehenge, remain speculative despite advanced methods. Interpretation of data can vary, and new discoveries may change previous conclusions, suggesting that technology isn’t always definitive in solving past mysteries.

3. Traditions, rituals and funerary practices must be respected.

Answer:

For:

   Traditions and funerary practices are central to a culture’s beliefs and identity, and they deserve respect, even by modern researchers. Disturbing burial sites can be seen as a violation of sacred customs, and in many cultures, the dead are meant to rest undisturbed. Respecting these practices fosters an appreciation for diversity and prevents the cultural insensitivity that can arise from overly scientific approaches.

Against:

   While respecting traditions is important, the need for knowledge and understanding of the past sometimes justifies scientific exploration, even of burial sites. Discovering important historical information can benefit humanity as a whole, and researchers take great care to minimize disruption. Understanding ancient rituals and practices often requires examining burial sites, which can lead to new insights into how people lived and died.

4. Knowledge about the past is useful to complete our knowledge of the world we live in.

Answer:

For:

   Studying the past is crucial to understanding the present and future. It helps us trace human evolution, learn from past mistakes, and recognize the origins of contemporary customs, beliefs, and societal structures. Knowledge about ancient civilizations, technological advancements, and environmental changes also helps in addressing current challenges such as climate change and human behaviour.

Against:

   While knowledge of the past is valuable, it is not always necessary to complete our understanding of the world. The future often depends more on innovation and forward thinking than on revisiting past events. Excessive focus on history can sometimes prevent progress, as societies may cling to outdated ideologies rather than adapting to new possibilities.

 

Thinking about language

1. Read the following piece of information from The Encyclopaedia of Language by David Crystal.

Egyptian is now extinct: its history dates from before the third millennium B.C., preserved in many hieroglyphic inscriptions and papyrus manuscripts. Around the second century A.D., it developed into a language known as Coptic. Coptic may still have been used as late as the early nineteenth century and is still used as a religious language by Monophysite Christians in Egypt.

2. What do you think are the reasons for the extinction of languages?

Answer: Languages often become extinct for several reasons, including:

Cultural assimilation and colonization: When dominant cultures impose their languages on others, indigenous or minority languages may gradually disappear.

Globalization and economic pressure: People may shift to speaking languages that provide better opportunities for trade, education, and employment, abandoning their native tongues.

Loss of speakers: Small language communities may shrink due to migration, wars, or natural disasters, reducing the number of fluent speakers.

 Technological and media influence: The dominance of major languages in media, technology, and the internet encourages people to adopt those languages, marginalizing others.

Lack of institutional support: When governments and institutions prioritize certain languages over others, minority languages may be neglected in education, official communication, and legal matters.

3. Do you think it is important to preserve languages?

Answer: Yes, it is important to preserve languages for several reasons:

Cultural identity: Language is a key aspect of cultural identity. When a language disappears, valuable cultural heritage, traditions, stories, and knowledge may be lost.

Linguistic diversity: Just as biodiversity is important to the environment, linguistic diversity enriches human societies by providing different perspectives and ways of thinking.

Historical and anthropological knowledge: Preserving languages can help us understand historical connections, migrations, and the evolution of human civilizations.

Intergenerational communication: Keeping a language alive allows future generations to maintain ties with their ancestors, heritage, and traditional wisdom.

4. In what ways do you think we could help prevent the extinction of languages and dialects?

Answer: Several efforts can help prevent language extinction:

Educational programs: Schools can include minority languages in the curriculum, promoting bilingual or multilingual education and teaching younger generations to speak and write their ancestral languages.

Community initiatives: Local communities can create language revival programs, offer language classes, and encourage the use of traditional languages in daily life.

Government support: Governments can implement policies to protect and promote endangered languages, recognizing them as official or regional languages, and ensuring their use in legal and public matters.

Documentation and technology: Linguists and researchers can document languages through dictionaries, recordings, and written texts. Technology can play a role in preserving languages through apps, websites, and media that support language learning and communication.

Cultural promotion: Efforts to celebrate linguistic diversity through cultural festivals, media (music, films), and art can raise awareness and pride in native languages, encouraging people to use them regularly.

By combining these strategies, we can help ensure that languages and dialects continue to thrive rather than fade into extinction.

 

Working with words

1. Given below are some interesting combinations of words. Explain why they have been used together.

(i) ghostly dust devils (vi) dark-bellied clouds

(ii) desert sky (vii) casket grey

(iii) stunning artefacts (viii) eternal brilliance

(iv) funerary treasures (ix) ritual resins

(v) scientific detachment (x) virtual body

Answer: Here’s an explanation of why these word combinations have been used together:

(i) Ghostly dust devils:

Ghostly: Suggests something eerie, mysterious, or otherworldly.

Dust devils: Small whirlwinds of dust and debris found in desert regions.

Together, this phrase evokes an image of swirling dust that appears almost like a supernatural presence, blending the mysterious with the natural environment.

 

(ii) Desert sky:

Desert: Refers to a barren, dry region.

Sky: The open expanse above.

Together, this phrase captures the vast, often clear, and sometimes oppressive emptiness of the sky above a desert landscape, highlighting its endless and stark nature.

 

(iii) Stunning artefacts:

Stunning: Something that is breathtaking or remarkable.

Artefacts: Historical or cultural objects.

Together, this combination describes ancient objects that are incredibly beautiful, impressive, or remarkable in their craftsmanship or historical significance.

 

(iv) Funerary treasures:

Funerary: Related to burial or funeral rites.

Treasures: Valuable objects.

Together, this phrase refers to the valuable items placed in tombs or graves, often intended to accompany the deceased in the afterlife, as in the case of ancient Egyptian burial practices.

 

(v) Scientific detachment:

Scientific: Relating to a systematic or empirical approach.

Detachment: A sense of emotional distance or objectivity.

Together, this phrase emphasizes an objective, unemotional approach to analyzing or investigating something, often used in the context of scientific research where personal feelings should not interfere with analysis.

 

(vi) Dark-bellied clouds:

Dark-bellied: Suggests the underside of something being dark.

Clouds: Masses of condensed water vapor in the sky.

Together, this phrase evokes an image of clouds that are heavy and dark on the bottom, often signaling an impending storm or bad weather.

 

(vii) Casket grey:

Casket: A box in which a dead body is placed for burial.

Grey: A colour associated with dullness, sadness, or mourning.

Together, this phrase evokes the sombre, muted tone of something that is linked with death or funerals, using the grey color to symbolize the solemnity of the scene.

 

(viii) Eternal brilliance:

Eternal: Lasting forever, timeless.

Brilliance: Great brightness or excellence.

Together, this phrase describes something that is perpetually radiant or magnificent, often referring to objects or legacies that remain vibrant and significant throughout time, such as the treasures in King Tut’s tomb.

 

(ix) Ritual resins:

Ritual: Relating to religious or ceremonial acts.

Resins: Sticky substances that were used in ancient times for mummification and preservation.

Together, this phrase refers to the resins used during ancient rituals, particularly in the embalming and burial processes, emphasizing their ceremonial importance.

 

(x) Virtual body:

Virtual: Existing in effect, though not physically present.

Body: A physical human forms.

Together, this phrase refers to the recreation or representation of a human body in a digital or conceptual form, often in the context of modern technology, such as when a mummy’s body is digitally reconstructed using a CT scan.

 

These word combinations evoke vivid imagery or specific associations, helping to enhance the mood, description, or thematic significance in the text they appear in.

2. Here are some commonly used medical terms. Find out their meanings.

 

CT scan, MRI, tomography, autopsy, dialysis, ECG, post mortem      angiography, biopsy

 

Answer: Here are the meanings of the commonly used medical terms:

 

1. CT scan (Computed Tomography scan):

A diagnostic imaging procedure that uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed, cross-sectional images of the body. It helps visualize internal structures such as bones, organs, and blood vessels.

 

2. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging):

A medical imaging technique that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the body’s organs and tissues. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, MRI does not use radiation.

 

3. Tomography:

A technique used to create a two-dimensional image or "slice" of a particular section of the body by scanning through the object. CT scans and MRI scans are types of tomography.

 

4. Autopsy:

A postmortem examination of a body performed by a pathologist to determine the cause of death or the presence of disease. It involves a thorough inspection of the internal organs.

 

5. Dialysis:

A medical procedure that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to perform this function naturally. It is commonly used in patients with kidney failure.

 

6. ECG (Electrocardiogram):

A test that records the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time. It helps to detect heart problems such as arrhythmias, heart attacks, or other conditions affecting the heart.

 

7. Postmortem:

Another term for an autopsy, a detailed examination of a body after death to investigate the cause of death or the extent of disease.

 

8. Angiography:

A medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside of blood vessels and organs, especially to check for blockages or abnormalities in the arteries. It often involves injecting a contrast dye and using X-rays to capture images.

 

9. Biopsy:

A medical procedure in which a small sample of tissue is taken from the body to be examined under a microscope. It is often used to diagnose diseases, such as cancer, by studying the cellular structure of the tissue.

 

These medical terms are commonly used in diagnostics and treatment to assess and address a wide range of health conditions.

Things to do

1. The constellation Orion is associated with the legend of Osiris, the god of the afterlife.

Find out the astronomical descriptions and legends associated with the following.

(i) Ursa Major (Saptarishi mandala)

Answer: Astronomical description: Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear, is one of the largest and most recognizable constellations in the night sky. It contains the famous asterism known as the "Big Dipper" or "Plough." It is visible throughout the year in most parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

Legend: In Hindu mythology, Ursa Major is associated with the Saptarishi (seven sages) who are venerated as great teachers of wisdom. In Greek mythology, it represents Callisto, who was transformed into a bear and placed in the sky by Zeus.

(ii) Polaris (Dhruva tara)

Answer: Astronomical description: Polaris, also known as the North Star or Pole Star, is located almost directly above the Earth's North Pole, making it a reliable guide for navigation. It belongs to the constellation Ursa Minor and is the brightest star in that constellation.

Legend: In Indian mythology, Polaris is identified with Dhruva, a boy who was rewarded for his unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu by being transformed into the North Star, a symbol of steadfastness and faith.

(iii) Pegasus (Winged horse)

Answer: Astronomical description: Pegasus is a constellation in the northern sky, easily recognized by the large square shape formed by four of its brightest stars, known as the "Great Square of Pegasus."

Legend: In Greek mythology, Pegasus was a winged horse that sprang from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa when she was slain by Perseus. Pegasus later became the steed of the hero Bellerophon, helping him defeat the Chimera.

(iv) Sirius (Dog star)

Answer: Astronomical description: Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky and is part of the constellation Canis Major (the Great Dog). It is sometimes referred to as the "Dog Star" and is a binary star system, with a white dwarf companion known as Sirius B.

Legend: In many cultures, including Greek and Roman mythology, Sirius is associated with hunting dogs and is linked to the dog Orion, the hunter. The "Dog Days" of summer are named after the time when Sirius rises in the sky with the Sun.

(v) Gemini (Mithuna)

Answer: Astronomical description: Gemini is a prominent constellation in the northern hemisphere, known for its two bright stars, Castor and Pollux, which represent the twin brothers. It is visible in the winter and spring.

Legend: In Greek mythology, Gemini represents the twins Castor and Pollux, sons of Zeus. While Castor was mortal, Pollux was immortal, and their love for each other was so strong that when Castor died, Zeus placed them together in the sky as the constellation Gemini. In Hindu astrology, the constellation is known as Mithuna and is one of the twelve zodiac signs.

2. Some of the leaves and flowers mentioned in the passage for adorning the dead are willow, olive, celery, lotus, cornflower. Which of these are common in our country?

Answer: Of the leaves and flowers mentioned in the passage, willow, olive, celery, lotus, and cornflower:

Lotus is common in India and is a symbol of purity and spirituality. It is frequently associated with deities in Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

Olive, willow, celery, and cornflower are not native to India but may be found in specific regions or cultivated for special purposes.

3. Name some leaves and flowers that are used as adornments in our country.

Answer: In India, several flowers and leaves are traditionally used for adornment in religious ceremonies, festivals, and rituals for honoring the dead:

Flowers:

Marigold (Genda): Widely used in garlands and decorations for religious rituals and festivals.

Jasmine (Chameli): Known for its fragrance, often used in garlands for religious offerings.

Rose: Commonly used in garlands and decorations for both joyous and solemn occasions.

Lotus: A sacred flower used in worship and religious ceremonies.

 

Leaves:

Mango leaves: Often used in religious rituals and to decorate entrances during festivals.

Betel leaves: Frequently used in Hindu and Buddhist rituals as offerings.

Banana leaves: Used as a base for food offerings in religious ceremonies and as decoration.

 

These adornments hold cultural significance and are often seen during festivals, weddings, and funeral ceremonies.