ELECTRIC LIGHT IN TOMBS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12213, 7 March 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

ELECTRIC LIGHT IN TOMBS.

NEW WAY OF VIEWING EGYPTIAN ANTIQUITIES. Asstjan (Egypt), January 5. Recent- discoveries at Thebes have enormously enhanced the interest of the remains of that ancient city. , . ; Mr. Howard Carter, Inspector of Antiquities at Luxor, lias within the last six weeks installed the electric light in a number of the Royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings. It is now possible to thoroughly view these magnificently decorated mausoleums, previously only dimly seen by the light of a guttering candle or the transient dash of magnesium wire. One tomb, and one only, has ever been discovered with the mummy of the Royal occupant still in place, and with commendable good taste the body has been left undisturbed where it was placed over 3000 years ago. This is the mummy of King Amenosis 11., whose tomb was opened by M. Loiret only three years ago. In an adjoining chamber lie the mummies of a man, a woman, and a child. These last are believed by some to have been executed in order to accompany their royal master to another world. Nothing can exceed the dramatic effect when the electric light Hoods the tomb and discloses these grim relics of an almost pre-historic civilisation. The mummy of the Pharaoh of the Exodus, also discovered within the last three years, is now at Cairo, Availing to be unrolled. Several religious societies have demanded that they be permitted to send a representative to be present, as they do not believe that a body will be found, and are firmly convinced that the Biblical traditions as to this King's drowning in the Red Sea will thus be confirmed. Last year a magnificent treasure of over 5000 gold coins of the Ptolemaic period was unearthed at Karnak ■ by' two of the felladeen. Within a few days it had passed into European hands, and the coins are now in the possession of half the museums and collectors in the world. The Egyptian Government, owing to the capitulations and other legal difficulties, has not benefited one penny by this nefarious transaction.