TOMBS OF THE KINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 306, 27 December 1922, Page 5

TOMBS OF THE KINGS.

DISCOVERIES IN EGYPT. DELICATE FABRICS FOUND. LONDON, December 2(J. The "Daily Mail" eaya that extraordinary interest ie displayed all over the world in Lord Carnarvon's discoveries in the Valley of the Tombe of the Kings. The Egyptian Government has erected a barrier to prevent people from, entering the newly found tomb and epoiling its treasures. Already there are great demands for hotel accommodation in the Luxor district. The pilgrimage will begin on a large scale ac soon as it is possible to admit visitors. Lord Carnarvon was received at Buckingham Palace by Their Majesties, to whom he vividly described the treasures. The Queen -was particularly interested. Lord Carnarvon reports that he has received a cablegram from Mr. Carter, who is in charge of the excavations, which might be construed that he has made further discoveries. It appears that -for the first time fabric has been found in which Egyptian sovereigns were dreseed. The dresses of Tut-ankh-amen and his queen are of diaphanous material, such as is portrayed on Egyptian monuments, but never before has fabric been seen or handled of so beautiful and delicate workmanship. The preservation of the dresses will be a matter of great difficulty, as the objects are liable to fall to dust on exposure to the air. At the back of the King's throne is a unique portrait of the King, comprised of precious stones. Nothing to compare with jts beauty has been ever before found in Egypt. Life-eize statues of the Pharoahs are known to have been fashioned at that period from actual plaster masks. Thus a , true portrait of Tut-ankh-amen lias been discovered. Another discovery is that the Egyptians lighted their palaces by using twisted linen bands soaked in oil and held up in metal holders. Egyptologists hope that the papyTi found in the tomb will throw new light on the period.—(United Service.)