TOMBS OF THE KINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18334, 26 February 1923, Page 8

TOMBS OF THE KINGS.

NEW ZEALANDER'S VISIT BARREN VALLEY OF TREASURES, ,\*X TELEGRAPH. —OWN COMUE3PONDENT.J CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday. An interesting account of the tombs of Luxor wan given by Mr. C. G. McKellar, a well-known Christchurch business man, who has recently returned from an extended trip abroad. During Mr. McKellar' s visit to Luxor, which was made between Christmas and the New Year, the investigation of the Tucenkhamun treasures was proceeding, and a number of chests bad been discovered which -were found to contain some personal ;posseseions of the King. The valley of Tombs of the Kings, said Mr. McKellar, was the most barren v round imaginable. The hills were about 600 ft high, and composed of sandstone, and without vegetation of any kind. The tombs were pierced into the hillside on no particular plan. Some of them extended in about 150 ft. The walls, were plastered, and on them was painted a, description of the public life of the King. A few yards from the entrance to the tomb of Rameses were steps leading down about 10ft., and immediately to the right was the entrance to Tutenkhamun's tomb.

At the time of Mr. McKellar's visit, boxes containing the King's bows and arrows, a money . chest and some clothing had been discovered. The tomb of Seti I. wsis quite close, and the shaft to it was about 9ft. square. The walls were not plastered, but smoothed down and finished with a description of the public life of the King cut in relief. The work is described as being most wonderful, The tomb of Amenhotep 11., of 1600 8.C., was entered by steep steps, which took the visitor into a tunnel. After passing over a deep pit, through another tunnel, and down more steps, the coffin of granite came into view. It had a glass top,, through which could be seen the mummified body.