SC State Museum

"4,000-Year-Old Tomb Of Doctor To The Pharaohs Discovered" via Huffington post.

SHARK WEEK POST!

These two fossil teeth in the SC State Museum's natural history collection are from a baby and adult version of this prehistoric shark. Can you name the shark?

c. 1922 image showing the interior of Tutankhamun's tomb.

From the Nov. 27, 1922 diary entry of archaeologist Howard Carter:

Did you know?

Four South Carolinians signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776:

Edward Rutledge

Thomas Heyward Jr.

Thomas Lynch Jr.

1922 photograph depicting the interior of Tutankhamun's tomb.

Was King Tut killed by a hippopotamus?

At the age of 19, King Tut died suddenly without any children to succeed him. For many years historians debated about the cause of the young ruler’s death with everything from illness to murder being suggested. While the idea of a politically motivated assassination sounds exciting, recent scientific advances have allowed researchers to narrow down the reasons for Tut’s demise through the use of CT scans. The scans revealed the pharaoh suffered massive physical trauma prior to his death, possibly in a fall from his chariot or as the result of a hunting accident. In 2010, an Egyptology professor hypothesized the damage to Tut’s chest and ribs could have been caused by a lethal hippopotamus bite and, as Tut was known to be an avid hippopotamus hunter, this could have been what killed the young king. The short answer, however, is that no one really knows how Tutankhamun died.

HAPPY CAROLINA DAY!

On June 28, 1776 American forces defeated the British at the Battle of Sullivan's Island. “For a moment the British thought they had the upper hand when the fort’s flag came down . . . Sgt. William Jasper bravely leapt . . . to retrieve the flag. He attached it to a makeshift mast and it once again flew over the fort .”

At the Soda Fountain Vernon Grant 1941

American Kestrel

This American kestrel was found at the museum's construction site  last week with an injured wing. Gilbane Southeast staff took her to our friends at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden where she is now being looked after.

Did you know?

King Tut was an avid hunter and sportsman!

Despite early beliefs that King Tut was a weak child and ruler, historians now think Tutankhamun was most likely both an active adolescent and sportsman. In fact, his ancestors were well known for their military prowess. Artwork and other artifacts found in his tomb suggest King Tut was an avid hunter, charioteer and a skilled archer.

Included in the many treasures found in Tut’s tomb were 3 undecorated hunting chariots, as well as an ornately painted linen chest depicting the young King triumphing over his enemies. 

Just a few of the 124 replicas of King Tut's sacred and personal possessions, now on exhibit at the South Carolina State Museum.

c. 1900 Slide Projector