LUXOR DISCOVERY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18787, 14 February 1923, Page 7

LUXOR DISCOVERY

MORE TREASURES UNEARTHED. : Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 12. A Luxor message states: “The latest removals from the tomb include, a large corselet with gold clasps inlaid with glass in imitation of precious stones. The workmanship is superb. This is the first corselet ever found. The most valuable parti had been torn off py robbers, but it ;a hoped that it will be possible to recocnstruct this ancient cuirass. “A magnificent chariot was taken out. H is considered to be the beet of the lot. It is decorated with sheet gold and inlaid with stones and coloured glass. " It is evidently the king's triumphal chariot. Part of the harness, also the ceremonial couch and two statues of the king have been found.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.

POMP OF THE PHAROAHS.

WONDERFUL ART REVEALED. LONDON, February 1. Tlic Earl of Carnarvon, organiser of the archaiological expedition which discovered the tomb of King Tutankhamen, has arrived at Luxor (says the Luxor coirespondont of The Times). Ho made a careful examination in the tomb of Seti 11. which is used as a laboratory of Tutankhamen's relics. The article most conspicuous for rarity *md beauty and the one over which lie lingered was the wonderful painted box. with scenes of thd king hunting lions, in colours stilly vivid. He also examined admiringly a walkingstick ornamented throughout its length with beetle wings. There is a mysterous box, oE which no one has yet done more than life the lid and peep inside, on top of a pile of *!isintografed fabrics. It may hold all sorts of unguessable treasures. It is impossible to sav when the work o£ removal to Cairo will begin. The contents of the inner chamber may require immediate attention. Two experts, Messrs Lucas and Mace are engaged in recording and preserving the articles. They estimate than those already taken out will involve two years’ work. Many caskets and boxes have been barely glance,d»at. Mr Lucas, in the process of recording the decorations, on one robe counted more than 3000 gold sequins and four times as many blue beads. Lord Carnarvon explains that Mr Howard Carter and his assistants are working under difficulties in a “laboratory” which is really a narrow passage penetrating the hill, and lit only by daylight from the entrance. This necessitates the use of electric torches. The laboratory reeks of acetone collodion, and other strong chemicals. THRONE INLAID WITH GEMB. The Icing’s throne proves to bo, after tro&tment, even more beautiful than ho imagined. The delicacy of the inlaid precious stones and extraordinary carving and modelling of the king’s and queen’s figures are wonderful in their power an expression. Extreme cate is needed to preserve their beauty. For example,where the gold is laid on tho wood, the condition of the throne is practically as gcod as "when it was made, but where the gold is laid on modelled plaster the latter has deteriorated. The utmost care in handling is necessary. Lord Carnarvon believes that when tho work of preservation is finished the throne will reveal itself as on© of tho most beautiful objects ever found. As regards the child's glove, Lord Carnarvon points out that it is child’s size, and perhaps was worn by tho king in childhood. A long shrinkage may have reduced it from man’s size, however. “Anyhow,” be said, “I conjecture it must be the oldest glove of which we have any record.” At present the only objects remaining in (he king’s ante-chamber consist of ceremonial couches four chariots, two statues, and a few smaller objects. It wi|l take some days to remove them, as their oonditibn demands exceptional treatment before they can he moved.

Already in this land of supersition myths are beginning to grow regarding the discovery of the tomb. It is a fact that Mr Carter possessed a canary, and about the date of the discovery a cobra climbed tho table on which was the cage and killed tho canary, but was itself killed before it left the cage. The cobra happens to be tho ancient Egyptian royal symbol, and actually statues within the ante-chamber wear the cobra in their head-dress. A native legend has grown up that the canary symbolised the modern spirit of civilisation, and that the cobra was sent by the ancient gods 1o destroy it. Some call (he king’s tomb the “tomb of the canary.” - FASHIONS FOR TWENTIETH CENTURY.

“I fully expect that in a few years’ time we shall see our smartest ladies wearing footgear resembling these- wonderful things,” said a member of Lord Carnarvon’s staff after describing the king’s sandals, of which the thongs were covered with small gold plaques with exquisitely wrought gold ducks’ heads where the thongs joined near (he toes. A big crowd waited in the hope of seeing further removals from the tomb, augmented by 200 tourists, recently arrived. Much time was spent in wrestling with the chariot. "No doubt it was supple enough once, but things get stiff in the joints after 20 centuries,” said one searcher. ft will be necessary to dismount the polo first. 'ljlie chariot contains a sort of ancient rug, which the staff irreverently christened “the woolly.” Visitors to-day saw the conch hrough* out by Mr Carter and his assistants. Jfc is a- gorgeous and barbaric piece of royal furniture nearly sft high. The king, if reclining, would bo about the level of the heads of his audience. It is a dazzling object, because it hears fearsome dogs' heads, all gilt and open-mouthed, with lone

curling longues of pink ivory and with white ivory teeth. Some parts of the gilt arc blistered and need careful handling, otherwise the gilding is in excellent condition. Seen alone, it is to modern eyes gaudy and flamboyant, but it is designed to fit harmoniously into a splendid whole. The bed surface is wholly gilt and hard Presumably it was spread with leopard skins and similar furnishings.

ANCIENT CHAPEL OF DEAD*

FRENCH EXCAVATOR'S FIND. LONDON. February 3. French excavators in the Valley of Deir-el-Medine (says the Daily Mail) have discovered a mortuary chapel built of bricks in the shape of a pyramid. There is a small chamber inside, and the wall paintings indicate that the structure belongs to the time of Tutankhamen. Rumours are circulating freely in Egypt {says the Daily Mail) of a new archaeological discovery. The report comes from tho neighbourhood of Assiut. where a party is working for Professor Pelrie, the Egyptologist of tho London University College. Professor Petrie, however, told the Daily Mail that the latest letters he had received indicated nothing sensational.