Tutankhamun in the news, What the press said in 1923

LUXOR, Feb. 11.

After an interlude of overcast sky, with a very high wind, almost a gale,making the river like a choppy sea, greatly disturbing the sand, and veiling the landscape, we have once more most glorious sunshine and a perfect blue sky.

Yesterday there was little activity of real interest at the tomb. Lord Carnarvon, accompanied by Lady Evelyn Herbert, arrived this morning by train from Cairo and was met by Mr. Carter with whom Lord Carnarvon went to the Valley of the Kings after lunch. During the morning, M. Pierre Lacau, Director-General of the Department of Antiquities, arrived and visited the valley. Among other visitors were Lord Leigh, Lady Juliet Trevor, Sir Phillip Sassoon, and Sir Louis Mallett. Those visiting the tomb to-day included Lord and Lady Granby, Mr. Mervyn Herbert, Mrs. Herbert, and the Sultana Malak, widow of the Sultan Hussein, who, accompanied by one of the Princesses, was paying her second visit.

A TRIUMPHAL CHARIOT

To-day the work of removal has been resumed at the tomb in the presence of a remarkably small number of spectators. The removals included a magnificent chariot, quite the best of those which have been discovered. It is decorated with sheet gold, and inlaid in much detail with various stones and coloured glass. On the front part of the body are cartouches of the King, while on the inside, with other ornamental devices, are portraits of vassals, with the names of their conquered countries. The chariot, which was evidently the King’s triumphal chariot, is in excellent condition, the workmanship is of the finest, and the gold and stones glistened in the sunshine as it emerged from the tomb and was carried up the hill. With the chariot was a pole on which remained hanging a leopard’s skin which once covered the floor of the body of the chariot.

Finally came a tray covered with a sheet, bearing two wheels. Owing to the delicate nature of the beautiful ornamentation of these wheels, it was considered advisable to cover them completely. The wheels belong to the fourth chariot, the body of which is completely broken. It will have to be removed in parts, and will require the most delicate handling owing to its fragile condition. This broken chariot, part of the harness of the Lion ceremonial couch, and two statues of the King are all that now remain out of the 167 principal objects found in the ante-chamber.

While the work of clearing the various chests and boxes found in the ante-chamber of the tomb is undoubtedly exacting, at the same time it has consoling features. One of these assuredly resides in the uncertainty as top what each box contains, and the possibility that its clearance may disclose new treasures.

As has already been explained, most of the boxes found in the ante-chamber were not opened before their removal from the tomb. Even when they were opened, only the articles which lay on the top were recorded, as their fragility prevented any attempt to see what was underneath until the covering article had received in the laboratory, proper preservative treatment, and its design and all details recorded. This is what has occurred in the case of the red box, the commencement of the clearance of which was reported a few days ago.

When it was opened, all that could be seen was a large robe of woven tapestry fabric, on which was sewn a magnificent gold scarab buckle, the details of which were given in the dispatch of February 8. This robe has now been removed, and has already disclosed several things of the greatest interest. Among the items taken out are a number of beautiful faience libation vases in imitation lapis lazuli and bearing the King’s cartouche in yellow. A unique article of alabaster has also been found. It is Greek in form and is nothing less than a wine-strainer, the first of its kind ever found in relation to the Dynastic period.

A SUPERB SPECIMEN

But the gem of the articles so far disclosed is a large corselet in elaborate mesh of faience pennants, with gold clasps, ties, and ornamentation inlaid in glass in imitation of semi-precious stones. That corselets of this description existed was well known, as they figure among the mural decorations in the tombs of the kings and the chapels of nobles. But never before has the actual article itself been found, nor was its intricate detail or superb workmanship ever realized until the present specimen came to light.

The advent of generally warmer weather has necessitated a slight modification of the working arrangements at the tomb. As previously mentioned, the carpenters’ shop has been set up at the cache, where also, is the staff dining—-room, just within the natural gateway to the sanctuary forming the Royal necropolis. The joinery work, however, has become so heavy that it has been found necessary to remove it to a place where there is more shade and where the operations will not disturb the staff when taking their very brief rest afforded by the midday meal. The carpenters’ shop has been transferred to the rock platform outside the tomb of Seti II, thus also greatly reducing the transport, since the cases can be made on the spot where they are wanted. What this means can be appreciated when it is mentioned that, in addition to the ten thousand feet of wood already obtained, a further large quantity has since had to be procured.

The public should be warned not to believe some extraordinary stories which get into print purporting to emanate from Luxor. The latest of these is a tale of a wonderful papyrus, discovered in the tomb, giving the whole dramatic story of the ancient robbery of the tomb and its punishment, which is given prominence by some Egyptian newspapers. No such papyrus has been found, nor indeed, any papyrus whatever.

The original press cuttings from which these reports are drawn, together with some early photographs, were donated by Member Jim Willcocks, and are held in the Society’s archives.