VALLEY OF THE KINGS

Evening Star, Issue 18141, 4 December 1922, Page 5

VALLEY OF THE KINGS

THE RECENT DISCOVERIES. EXPERTS’ OPINIONS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright _ LONDON, December 1. “ Several things found in the Valley of tho Kings,” states the Egyptologist, Professor Flinders Petrie, “ have never previously been discovered. Wo have never had an untouched group of King’s furniture nor a throne. Tho latter discovery is indeed a novelty. Tho other most Interesting finds are musical instruments, Royal robes, and alabaster vases.” Regarding the suggested robbery, Pro lessor Petno points out that the ancient papyrus story of the attack on tho tombs in the reign of Raineses X., and tho trial of the thieves makes it look as if Tutankuhumen’s tomb had been denuded of gold apart from the gilding. The confused state of the second chamber confirms the theory of the robbery. Sir E. A. W. Budge, tho keeper of the Eevntian and Assyrian antiquities in the British Museum, says: “ Tho crowning discovery is that Tutankuhumen’s predecessor, Amonhctep TV., revived the old sun worship and shut himself up in an isolated city, where he burned incense and offered sacrifices while the empire went to ruin. There is scarcely a more pathetic picture in history than the religious fanatic singing hymns to a god whom tho people refused to worship while the governors in the foreign possessions appealed for help in vain. Tutankuhumen succeeded Amenhetep by marrying Jus daughter. ‘ The Times’s ’ account already proves largely how Tutankuhumen restored the old worship, the rejection of which proved to be his father-in-law’s undoing. A closer inspection and examination of the papyri will be awaited with intense interest.” Sir E. A. W. Budge mentions that the law governing foreigners’ excavations awards the excavator one half. The law has been interpreted generously and it is hoped that the directors of the Cairo Museum will suitably recognise the result of the sixteen years’ efforts and large expenditure involve? in the quest.— * Times.’ RARE FINDS. GREATEST IN HISTORY. CAIRO, December 3. (Received December 4, arfc 10 a.m.) The discovery is regarded as the greatest in the history of Egyptian art, and perhaps in any art. Details of the royal appurtenances have been previously secured from mural inscriptions, but the actual objects have never before been seen.

Owing to the prcciousness of tho contents in tho chambers which have been explored, it was decided not to proceed with further explorations or to open a third chamber until arrangements had been made for the preservation and a complete record of the discoveries. The Egyptian Government is taking special precautions to defend the site and the finds.—A. and ->.Z. Cable.