TUTANKHAMEN’S TOMB

Southland Times, Issue 19170, 14 February 1924, Page 5

TUTANKHAMEN’S TOMB

SURPASSING GRANDEUR OPENING THE SARCOPHAGUS MARVELS OF ANCIENT EGYPT. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, February 13. (Received February 14, at 2 a.m.) When the moment for raising the lid of Tutankhamen's sarcophagus arrived, Mr Howard Carter was so excited that, he lent the native workmen a hand. It weighed a ton and a-half and measured three metres long. Meanwhile other excavators and experts were eagerly watching close at hand. The first glimpse inside only showed a dark brown mass, bulging in places and suggesting a wooden coffin which had become mis-shapen by age. But it stood evident that this was a dark brown shroud covering the coffin. With trembling fingers Mr Carter and Mr Callender slowly turned back the covering, which revealed a golden coffin of radiant beauty. It had been bidden under three thicknesses of cheap stuff, originally wffiite, but rusted with age. There was a gasp of astonishment when the golden coffin was seen in the glare of the electric light. It was carved in relief throughout. The King’s features were so exquisitely modelled that the sarcophagus was more like a masterpiece Oi sculpture than a ccffin. Tutankhamen was represented as wearing a golden crown with serpents’ and hawks’ heads encrusted with lapis lazuli and carrying a crook, a sceptre and a flail in his hands, which were folded over his breast. The face of the King was youthful, though it had the customary long, golden beard of the Pharoah. It was singularly handsome, with a full sensitive mouth, a small refined nose, and exquisitely modelled eyes, picked out with semi-precious stones. The whole face, which was three times life size, conveyed the impression of serenity and dignity. Evidently it was the portrait-sculpture of a master craftsman. The lower part of the body was enfolded in the wings of protective goddesses. Except for sparing incrustations of lapis lazuli, the coffin is entirely of gold sheeting over wood. The only flaw was a slight discolouration of the feet with bitumen. A wreath of natural flowers surrounds the head and is ncw T brittle with age. The crook and sceptre in the right hand are about 4 feet long and are apparently made of wood decorated with gold and semiprecious stones. The flail in the left hand, which is a symbol power, is of gold. These sceptres are detachable. There are short, lengthwise band inscriptions, introducing the King’s cartouches. The coffin is supported on a golden bier resembling a sleigh, decorated with lion heads. The whole recalls the beautifully sculptured granite inner lid of Merenptah’s sarcophagus, which still lies in his temb in the Valley of the Kings. An excellent idea of Tutankhamen’s coffin can be gained by imagining Merenptah’s effigy in gold, instead of granite. There is not a shadow of doubt but that the King’s mummy is within, but there may well be other coffin coverings of equal beauty to that disclosed to-day. It is the most splendid gilted mummy case ever found in Egypt.