[PODCAST] Tut Tut, Now What? Ep 1: "A Valley of Destiny". How Carter discovered King Tutankhamun

Summary

The script recounts the dramatic story of Howard Carter's discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in Egypt, a century ago. It delves into the historical context, the meticulous excavation process, and the ensuing fame and controversy. Highlighting the challenges and the dedication of Carter, the narrative also explores the enduring impact of the find on archaeology and our fascination with ancient Egypt.

Takeaways

• 🕵️‍♂️ Howard Carter was a meticulous archaeologist who believed in the potential of undiscovered tombs in the Valley of the Kings, despite others considering the area exhausted.
• 🎨 Carter started his career as an artist, painting portraits of pets for the English upper class, which eventually led to his involvement in archaeology through his connection with the Egyptian Exploration Fund.
• 🏺 Born in 1874, Carter was passionate about Egyptology from a young age and began his career in Egyptology at the age of 17, working at the ancient Cemetery of Beni Hassan.
• 🔍 As an inspector of monuments for Upper Egypt, Carter gained experience and contacts in the field, which would later prove invaluable in his search for undiscovered tombs.
• 💔 The Sakara Affair led to Carter's demotion and departure from the Egyptian Antiquities Service, but his determination saw him continue his work in Egypt as a tour guide and artist.
• 🤝 Carter's partnership with Lord Carnarvon began in 1907 and led to several successful excavations, setting the stage for their eventual discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb.
• 🔨 Carter's methodical approach to excavation involved mapping previous dig sites and systematically clearing unexplored areas, which was key to finding Tutankhamun's tomb.
• 🗝️ The discovery of a step in the Valley of the Kings in 1922 was a turning point, leading to the uncovering of a staircase and the eventual entrance to Tutankhamun's tomb.
• 🕯️ Upon finding a sealed doorway, Carter used a candle to check for oxygen before widening the hole to reveal the contents of the tomb, a method still used today in archaeological exploration.
• 📜 The presence of seals on the tomb's door indicated that it had been opened and resealed after a robbery, suggesting that the tomb might still hold valuable artifacts.
• 📖 Carter's journals and telegrams to Lord Carnarvon reveal the suspense and excitement of the discovery, as well as the potential for the tomb to contain 'wonderful things'.

Q & A

What significant event occurred on November 4th, 2022 related to the Egyptian desert?

The world celebrated the 100th anniversary of archaeologist Howard Carter's discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb.

What immersive experience was launched by the Houston Museum of Natural Science to commemorate the anniversary?

The museum launched an immersive recreation of the boy King's crypt and a deep dive into the landmark moment in history.

What is the significance of the story of Howard Carter and Tutankhamun?

The story is significant because it is more complicated than the Indiana Jones-like adventure often imagined, involving possible rewrites, what-ifs, and missing details.

What was Howard Carter's background before becoming an archaeologist?

Howard Carter was born to a lower middle-class British family in 1874. His education was cut short due to sickness, and he accompanied his father, an animal portraitist, to the country houses of the Victorian English gentry where he fell in love with Egyptian antiquities.

What role did Howard Carter serve in the Egyptian Antiquity service?

By 1899, Carter was appointed inspector of monuments for Upper Egypt by the Egyptian Antiquity service, overseeing excavations and ensuring the protection and preservation of sites.

What event led to Howard Carter's demotion and eventual resignation from the Egyptian Antiquity service?

The Sakara Affair, a conflict involving French tourists and Egyptian guards at a burial ground, led to Carter siding with his men. This resulted in a complaint filed by the Frenchman, leading to Carter being forced to apologize and eventually being demoted and resigning.

Who was Lord Carnarvon and how did he become involved with Howard Carter?

Lord Carnarvon was a wealthy Englishman who caught the amateur archaeologist's bug while vacationing in Egypt. He started digging in the desert and, needing more experienced help, partnered with Howard Carter.

What was the significance of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun for Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon?

The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb was significant as it was filled with treasures and marked a major success for their partnership, leading to further excavations and a boost in their reputations.

What was the Amarna period in ancient Egyptian history?

The Amarna period was a time when Pharaoh Akhenaten abandoned Egypt's pantheon of gods in favor of a single deity, causing significant religious and political changes in the country.

Why was Tutankhamun's tomb initially overlooked by other excavators?

Other excavators had found small trinkets bearing Tut's name and declared the boy king's tomb found, believing there was nothing left to see. However, Carter was not convinced and believed there was more to discover.

What method did Howard Carter use to search for Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings?

Carter used a methodical approach, using a map to block out where other excavations had dug, and then systematically cleared the spaces in between those sites down to bedrock.

What was the significance of the second sealed doorway found by Carter in Tutankhamun's tomb?

The second sealed doorway was significant because it had two seals, indicating that the tomb had been opened and then resealed after being robbed, suggesting that there might still be valuable items inside worth preserving.