Lesson 2: Mummification

Send In Activity 2
Option A: Make King Tut's Death Mask

Using the instructions below, make a copy of the famous death mask of King Tutenkhamen. (15 marks)

Materials:

Flour and water Mixing bowl Newspaper strips (about 30cm x 3cm) Plastic drinking straw cut into 5-6 cm lengths Big mixing bowl with 500 mL of cold water Rubber spatula

Shower cap to protect your hair Acrylic, tempera, or spray paint (gold, blue red and white) Pencil and paint brushes Thin-tipped non-toxic black markers Corrugated cardboard Masking or duct tape Saran Wrap or plastic

Step 1: Make the Mask

1. Wear old clothes. Put on a shower cap you can throw away.Cover your eyes with Saran Wrap or plastic. Do NOT cover your nose or mouth!
2. Mix 2 cups of water with flour until you have a consistency like white glue.
3. Place the straws in each nostril and in your mouth.
4. Lie down and get comfortable.
5. Dip the strips in the paste and wipe them so a minimal amount stays on the paper. (You do not want to have too much or the mask will become too heavy and difficult to remove.)
6. Apply the strips over the face and press down gently until a solid mask has been formed.
7. If the straws fall out, put them in again (carefully!). Try to avoid putting too much papier maché around the nostrils.
8. Remove carefully from the face as soon as the outer surface feels hard. Sit up at this point. Gently pull the papier maché mask from your face.
9. Place the damp mask in a warm place to dry.

Step 2: Make the Headdress

1. Find a picture of King Tutenkhamen at one of the websites in this lesson, or in a book.
2. Cut the cardboard into the shape of the headdress in the picture. Tape it in place on your dried mask.
3. Make separate pieces for the neck, beard and chest and tape in place as you did with the headdress.
4. Use more papier maché to smooth the edges between the mask and the cardboard.
5. Allow the mask to dry overnight.

Step 3: Touch up the Mask

You may need to mix up more papier maché and touch up any rough spots. Let them dry completely before moving to Step 4.

Step 4: Paint the Mask

1. Paint the entire mask and allow the paint to dry.
2. Mark out your painting lines with the black marker.
3. Fill in the colours as appropriate.

Marking Guide:

The finished mask should:

• resemble the colours, shape, and design of King Tut's deathmask.
• be clearly shown in the submitted photograph. Do not send the model.

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