2017-02-16 Thu

On this day in 1923, English archaeologist Howard Carter entered the sealed burial chamber of the ancient Egyptian ruler King Tutankhamen! The “boy king” of Egypt was buried under the layers of history, barely known to the modern world until 1922.

With the advent of new curiosities, inventions and discoveries, 19th century saw a many firsts. One of such new curiosities was the science of archaeology. This was the time when the modern world was discovering the ancient world, the ancient civilizations. Many ancient sites were discovered and Egypt with its tombs pyramids and sphinx was a major attraction. Archaeologists from all over the world flocked to Egypt, where they uncovered a number of these tombs.

Backed by a rich Brit, Lord Carnarvon, Carter arrived in Egypt in 1891 and searched for several years without success. In early 1922, Lord Carnarvon wanted to call off the search, but Carter convinced him to hold on one more year. And Eureka!

In November 1922, Carter and his team found steps leading to a nearly intact tomb near debris of another tomb. Carter and his men entered the tomb on November 26th in 1922 and after a few months of exploring the four rooms of the tomb, on 16th February 1923 they entered the ante chambers!

Chiselling their way through a doorway and entering the boy pharaoh’s tomb, which had remained sealed for more than 3,200 years! Describing his experience Carter wrote "As my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room within emerged slowly from the mist. Strange animals, statues of gold …".

Despite rumours that a curse would befall anyone who disturbed the tomb, a sarcophagus with three coffins nested inside one another was opened. The last coffin, made of solid gold, contained the mummified body of King Tut, it also happens to one of the first coffins that was opened.

The treasures found in the tomb such as golden shrines, jewellery, statues, a chariot, weapons, clothing, and a perfectly preserved mummy were carefully catalogued, removed and included in a famous travelling exhibition called the “Treasures of Tutankhamen.” The exhibition’s permanent home is the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Perseverance backed by a strong thirst of curiosity can move mountains! And this story, which is no less thrilling than any film, is definitely an excellent example of hard work and passion!

This boy king of Egypt has adorned many of Egyptian banknotes and till date remains one of the longest featured King on Egyptian banknotes!