The golden death mask of Tutankhamun is being restored after its beard became detached during maintenance work in 2014. A member of staff at Cairo Museum, where the famous mask is held, accidentally dislodged the beard last year, and it was hastily mended with modern glue. Restoration specialists have since said the beard had probably become loose over the years. Now a team of German and Egyptian specialists have taken the exhibit from display so a complete restoration and conservation project can be conducted under expert supervision.
This article appeared in issue 74 of Current World Archaeology. Click here to subscribe.