One app for all your study abroad needs
NCERT Class 11 English Chapter 3 Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues Solutions: Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues” explores the mystery surrounding the life and death of the young Egyptian pharaoh, King Tutankhamun. In NCERT Class 11 English Chapter 3, students learn how modern science and ancient history come together to uncover secrets buried for centuries.
This chapter highlights the use of advanced technology in archaeology and the ongoing fascination with Egypt’s royal past. To help students understand the chapter better, we have provided clear and detailed solutions to all the exercises. These solutions will make it easier to grasp the main ideas, historical context, and scientific developments discussed in the text.
Table of Contents
Explore Notes of Class 11 English Hornbill
Exercises
Understanding the Text
1. Give reasons for the following:
(i) King Tut’s body has been subjected to repeated scrutiny.
King Tut’s body has been examined multiple times due to the mystery surrounding his death. As a young pharaoh who died unexpectedly, researchers have been curious to know the cause of his death and the burial practices used.
(ii) Howard Carter’s investigation was resented.
Howard Carter’s investigation was resented because he damaged the mummy while trying to remove it from the coffin. He used unscientific methods like chiselling and dismembering the body, which was seen as disrespectful and crude.
(iii) Carter had to chisel away the solidified resins to raise the king’s remains.
The resins used in Tutankhamun’s burial had hardened over time and glued the body to the coffin. Since the heat of the sun couldn’t melt them, Carter had no choice but to chisel away the resins to retrieve the body.
(iv) Tut’s body was buried along with gilded treasures.
King Tut’s body was buried with gilded treasures because ancient Egyptians believed in life after death. The treasures were meant to accompany and assist the king in the afterlife.
(v) The boy king changed his name from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun.
Tutankhaten changed his name to Tutankhamun to show his rejection of his father Akhenaten’s religious beliefs and to return to the worship of Amun, the traditional god of Egypt.
2. Answer the following:
(i) List the deeds that led Ray Johnson to describe Akhenaten as “wacky”.
Akhenaten was described as “wacky” because he:
- Promoted the worship of Aten, the sun disk, and ignored traditional Egyptian gods.
- Moved the religious capital from Thebes to Akhetaten.
- Introduced a radical and unpopular change in art and culture.
- Lived in isolation with his family.
(ii) What were the results of the CT scan?
The CT scan showed a detailed image of King Tut’s body. It revealed:
- His chest bones and front ribs were missing.
- The head and neck vertebrae were in good condition.
- There was no evidence of trauma to the skull. This helped rule out earlier theories of a violent death.
(iii) List the advances in technology that have improved forensic analysis.
Advancements include:
- CT scan (Computed Tomography)
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
- DNA analysis
- 3D imaging and reconstruction
- Computer simulations and virtual autopsies
(iv) Explain the statement, “King Tut is one of the first mummies to be scanned — in death, as in life…”
This means that even after his death, King Tut continues to receive attention just as he did in life. Being one of the first mummies to undergo a CT scan shows the ongoing fascination and importance of his historical legacy.
Also Read:
- NCERT Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 2: Notes and Solutions (Free PDF)
- NCERT Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 1: Notes and Solutions (Free PDF)
Talking About the Text
(Answers should be discussed in groups. Sample viewpoints below.)
1. Scientific intervention is necessary to unearth buried mysteries.
For: Science helps us discover facts and understand ancient lives.
Against: It can disrespect cultural sentiments and damage sacred remains.
2. Advanced technology gives us conclusive evidence of past events.
For: CT scans and DNA tests reveal causes of death and physical conditions.
Against: Technology can only give partial truths, not the full story or context.
3. Traditions, rituals and funerary practices must be respected.
For: They are part of a culture’s identity and should not be disturbed.
Against: Understanding them through study helps preserve and learn from them.
4. Knowledge about the past is useful to complete our knowledge of the world we live in.
For: It helps us understand human history, culture, and progress.
Against: It may distract from solving present-day problems.
Thinking About Language
2. What do you think are the reasons for the extinction of languages?
Languages become extinct due to a lack of speakers, colonisation, cultural domination, migration, and modern education promoting global languages over native ones.
3. Do you think it is important to preserve languages?
Yes, because languages carry culture, identity, and traditional knowledge. Losing a language means losing a part of history.
4. In what ways can we help prevent the extinction of languages and dialects?
- Encourage regional language education.
- Record and document endangered languages.
- Use native languages in media and literature.
- Support communities in using their mother tongue in daily life.
Working with Words
1. Word combinations and their meanings:
(i) ghostly dust devils – swirling dust storms appearing mysteriously in the desert.
(ii) desert sky – the vast, clear sky seen in desert regions.
(iii) stunning artefacts – beautiful, impressive historical objects.
(iv) funerary treasures – valuable items buried with the dead.
(v) scientific detachment – unbiased, objective approach by scientists.
(vi) dark-bellied clouds – heavy, rain-filled clouds.
(vii) casket grey – coffin-like, dull grey colour.
(viii) eternal brilliance – everlasting shine or glory.
(ix) ritual resins – fragrant substances used in religious ceremonies.
(x) virtual body – a digital 3D image of a body created using technology.
2. Meanings of medical terms:
- CT scan – A computerised imaging technique to see inside the body.
- MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging; shows detailed images of organs and tissues.
- Tomography – Technique for displaying a cross-section of the body.
- Autopsy – Post-death medical examination to find the cause of death.
- Dialysis – A Process to remove waste from the blood, used in kidney failure.
- ECG – Electrocardiogram; records heart activity.
- Post mortem – Medical examination after death (same as autopsy).
- Angiography – X-ray test to view blood vessels.
- Biopsy – Examination of a tissue sample to diagnose a disease.
Related Reads
For more topics, follow LeverageEdu NCERT Study Material today!
