Introduction

The legendary Tutankhamun, also known as King Tut, was an Egyptian pharaoh who ruled during the 18th dynasty. His tomb, discovered by archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922, contained a wealth of treasures including the iconic golden death mask. This stunning artifact has captivated the imagination of historians and enthusiasts alike for nearly a century.

Creating your own Tutankhamun mask can be a fun and educational craft project to learn more about ancient Egyptian culture. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps necessary to create an impressive replica of King Tut’s famous mask.

Materials Needed

1. Cardboard or balsa wood for the mask base

2. Scissors or a craft knife

3. Newspaper or paper towels

4. White glue or a flour and water paste

5. Paintbrushes

6. Acrylic paints in gold, blue, and black

7. Craft jewels or gemstones

8. Metallic gold leaf sheets (optional)

9. Strings or elastic bands to attach the mask

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cut the base: Start by drawing an oval shape on your cardboard or balsa wood that’s large enough to cover your face. Then, draw King Tut’s iconic headdress on top of the oval shape – this should look like a tall rectangle with rounded edges on top, extending down and slightly tilting outward at both sides at the bottom. Carefully cut out this shape using scissors or a craft knife.

2. Apply papier-mâché: Tear up your newspaper or paper towels into small pieces. Mix white glue with water (or make a simple flour and water paste) to create a runny adhesive mixture for papier-mâché. Use a paintbrush to apply the adhesive onto your mask base then layer pieces of newspaper on top until it is completely covered. Allow at least two to three layers, letting each layer dry before proceeding with the next.

3. Add facial features: Use extra papier-mâché or molding clay to create King Tut’s facial features such as raised eyebrows, a prominent nose, and a straight, expressive mouth. Let the entire mask dry overnight.

4. Paint the mask: Once the mask is thoroughly dry, paint it with gold acrylic paint as the base color. Next, add details using blue and black paints – this includes the stripes on King Tut’s headdress and the famous “eye of Horus,” symbolizing protection and good health.

5. Add embellishments: Add craft jewels or gemstones throughout the headdress to emulate the precious stones found in the original death mask. You can use colored glass beads or plastic gems in blue, green, and red to mimic lapis lazuli, turquoise, and carnelian stones used by ancient Egyptian artisans.

6. Apply gold leaf (optional): For an extra touch of luxury, apply metallic gold leaf sheets to some areas of your mask—edges of the headdress, around facial features—to highlight parts of your creation.

7. Attach strings or elastic bands: Finally, attach strings or elastic bands to both sides of the mask at eye level so you can wear it comfortably.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve created your own Tutankhamun mask, showcase your artistry by wearing it to a costume party or displaying it in your home as a historical reminder of Egypt’s fascinating culture and history. This creative project provides an excellent way to learn more about ancient Egyptian customs while exploring your artistic side. So go ahead – make history come alive with your very own King Tut mask.