1 December 1922: British archaeologist Howard Carter,bankrolled by Lord Carnarvon, made the staggering find
The discoveries of Mr. Howard Carter at Thebes reported by the Cairo correspondent of the “Times, and are likely to be of tall importance to the student of comparative religion as well as to the Egyptologist. The cache unearthed in the Valley of the Kings by Mr Howard Carter,who for sixteen years has been assisting Lord Carnarvon in excavations on the site of ancient Thebes, contains the funeral furnishings of King Tutankhamun. He was one of the Heretic Kings of the Eighteenth Dynasty, or it was he who reverted to the traditional polytheistic worship of the Egyptians which his father-in-law,Akhenaten, had exchanged for a more enlightened monotheism.
Three sealed chambers own been discovered, or one of the three has not yet been opened. Its door is guarded by two life-sized bitumenised statues of Tutankhamun,with delicately carved features, hands, or feet,and head-dresses richly studded with gems. From their presence it appears possible that the unopened chamber may be the tomb of Tutankhamun. The outer chamber in which these statues stood was crammed with a medley of treasures. There were three magnificent state couches exquisitely carved, supporting beds ornamented with carving, or gilt and inlaid ivory and semi-precious stones. Beneath one of the couches was the state throne of Tutankhamun,which the “Times” correspondent describes as “probably one of the most beautiful objects of art ever discovered.”Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com