He was one of the most famous pharaohs who ruled Egypt more than 3,300 years ago.

And now a new study suggests that Tutankhamun, who was known as the ‘boy King of Cairo’ had a bed fit for a king.

Research suggests that King Tut slept on a very early version of a modern camping bed which folded up into a Z-shape, and would have been extremely sophisticated for its time.

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Research suggests that King Tut slept on a very early version of a modern camping bed which folded up into a Z-shape, and would have been extremely sophisticated for its time

King Tut’s three-fold bed was discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter when he first entered the pharaoh’s treasure-packed tomb.

Researchers from Musashino University in Tokyo have now analysed the bed, and suggested that it was extremely sophisticated for its time.

Speaking to Live Science, Ms Naoko Nishimoto, one of the researchers who worked on the project, said: ‘No detailed study has been made of this bed since Carter sketched it almost a hundred years ago.

‘This is the only real-size camping bed that has ever been found. No other pharaohs but King Tut had such [a] bed. It is intriguing.’

The researchers analysed a small model of the bed from Gebelein, Egypt.

The bed was made from four wooden ‘lion’ legs, along with copper-alloy drums that bore the majority of the weight.

Given the elaborate wooden leg shape, folding the bed was no mean feat, and the designers had to use ingenious hinges over the legs.

Ms Nishimoto said: ‘In this way, the legs took the strain off the hinges.’

On top of the legs was a mat, woven from three thin strings of linen.

Researchers analysed how King Tut slept on a very early version of a modern camping bed which folded up into a Z-shape

While holes could be seen around the double hinges, the researchers suggest that these were not used to pᴀss the strings through.

Ms Nishimoto said: ‘They were made with the intention to pᴀss strings through them, but they were not used after all.’

If the strings had been pᴀssed through here, the bed wouldn’t have been able to fold.

Ms Nishimoto added: ‘This trial-and-error process clearly shows that this three-fold bed was the first ever made.’

 

Their analysis suggests that two-fold beds may have existed before King Tut’s camping bed, but that his three-fold bed was revolutionary.

Three-fold beds would have been more comfortable, steadier and more compact, according to the researchers.

Ms Nishimoto said: ‘Traces of trials and errors tell us that the artisans involved in the bed production did not have any other three-fold beds for reference.

The bed was made from four wooden ‘lion’ legs, along with copper-alloy drums that bore the majority of the weight

‘The camping bed was made especially for King Tut.’

The bed was made from four wooden ‘lion’ legs, along with copper-alloy drums that bore the majority of the weight.

Given the elaborate wooden leg shape, folding the bed was no mean feat, and the designers had to use ingenious hinges over the legs.

Ms Nishimoto said: ‘In this way, the legs took the strain off the hinges.’

On top of the legs was a mat, woven from three thin strings of linen.

While holes could be seen around the double hinges, the researchers suggest that these were not used to pᴀss the strings through.

Ms Nishimoto said: ‘They were made with the intention to pᴀss strings through them, but they were not used after all.’

If the strings had been pᴀssed through here, the bed wouldn’t have been able to fold.

As well as showing the incredible craftsmanship in ancient Egypt, the researchers believe that the bed also provides an insight into the aspirations of King Tut

Ms Nishimoto added: ‘This trial-and-error process clearly shows that this three-fold bed was the first ever made.’

As well as showing the incredible craftsmanship in ancient Egypt, the researchers believe that the bed also provides an insight into the aspirations of King Tut, due to his club foot that prevented him from walking unaided.

Ms Nishimoto concluded: ‘Even though the frail young king may never have participated in long-distance or strenuous expeditions, he nevertheless loved the idea of hunting and camping.

‘His camping bed is inherently poetic.’