EGYPTIAN SECRETS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16905, 2 December 1922, Page 14

EGYPTIAN SECRETS.

COMMENTS ON LATEST DISCOVERY. By Telegraph—Pr.es* Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 2. 2.20 p.m ) * J -ON DON. December 3 “ Several things found in the Valley of the ivings." states the Egyptologist, Rrotessor rTinders Petrie, have never previously been discovered. We never had an untouched group of a king’s furniture, nor a throne. The latter discovery is indeed a novelty. Other most interesting finds are ifiuaical instruments. royal robes and alabaster vases.” Regarding the suggested robbery, Professor Petrie points out that the ancient papryus story of an attack on the tombs n> the reign of Rameses X., and the trial of the thieves makes it look as if I utankhumen’s tomb had been denuded of gold apart from the gilding. Ths confused state of the second chamber confirmed the theory of a robbery. Sir E. A. W. Budge, keeper of Egyptian and Assyrian antiquities in thi British Museum, says that the crowning discovery is that Tutankhumen.’* predecessor, Amenhetep the Fouth, revived the old sun worship, and shut himself up in an isolated city, where he burned incense and offered sacrifice's, whlie his empire went to ruin. There is scarcely a more pathetic picture iti history than the religious fanatic sing- , ing hymns to a god whom the people refused t*o worship, while the governors in. foreign possessions appealed for help in vain. Tutankhumen succeeded Amenhetep by marrying his daughter. “ The Times-” account already proves largely how Tutankhumen restored the old worship, the rejection of which proved his father-in-law’s undoing. A closer inspection and examination of the papyri will be awaited with in. tense interest.

Sir E. Budge mentions that- the law ■ governing foreigners’ excavations I awards the excavators one half. The j Jaw has been interpreted generously, and it is hoped that the directors of the Cairo Museum will suitably compen- : sate Mr Carnarvon for his sixteen | years’ efforts, and the large expei ! ture involved in the quest.