Analysis of Howard Carter's Diaries
Tahirih Osborne
11.16.11
HHIS 101
Jeff Bibbee
Tutankhamen: Anatomy of an Excavation.Howard Carter's diaries.The first excavation season in the tomb of Tutankhamen.Part 1: October 28 to December 31, 1922
© Griffith Institute, Oxford OX1 2LG Otter Box
This document provides an in-depth description of Howard Carter's initial discovery of the ante-chamber to King Tutankhamen's tomb. November 26th describes the discovery of an unidentified room filled with artifacts, while November 27th describes the initial excavation of this room and identifying it as Tutankhamen's tomb.
Howard Carter's passion for Egypt and archeology is prominent in his careful description of the excavation of this tomb. While written in a diary format, it is obvious that he intends to later share his findings with his academic community (which was indeed later published.) His use of exacting language and in-depth description of what he experiences, down to a laundry list of items the ante-chamber contains, is included for those scholastically inclined, but his personal awe still shows through. Howard Carter was a dedicated egyptologist, and this excavation became the hallmark of his career.
Discovering Tutankhamen's tomb was an explosion to the Egyptology community. With only two minor robberies to its name (thought to have happened shortly after the paraoh's death), the tomb stood as a virtual time capsule. No other tomb is thought to be as complete. This gives a very good insight into the climate of the period. Having such a number and range of artifacts from the same time period allows scholars to draw conclusions about everything from the religious practices of the period, to the way furniture was made, and to make guesses about the wealth of the pharaoh and of Egypt itself. These artifacts went on to be some of the most-exhibited and well known works of art from the period, and are now synonymous with one's mental image of Egypt.
What is perhaps most overlooked and most interesting
11.16.11
HHIS 101
Jeff Bibbee
Tutankhamen: Anatomy of an Excavation.Howard Carter's diaries.The first excavation season in the tomb of Tutankhamen.Part 1: October 28 to December 31, 1922
© Griffith Institute, Oxford OX1 2LG Otter Box
This document provides an in-depth description of Howard Carter's initial discovery of the ante-chamber to King Tutankhamen's tomb. November 26th describes the discovery of an unidentified room filled with artifacts, while November 27th describes the initial excavation of this room and identifying it as Tutankhamen's tomb.
Howard Carter's passion for Egypt and archeology is prominent in his careful description of the excavation of this tomb. While written in a diary format, it is obvious that he intends to later share his findings with his academic community (which was indeed later published.) His use of exacting language and in-depth description of what he experiences, down to a laundry list of items the ante-chamber contains, is included for those scholastically inclined, but his personal awe still shows through. Howard Carter was a dedicated egyptologist, and this excavation became the hallmark of his career.
Discovering Tutankhamen's tomb was an explosion to the Egyptology community. With only two minor robberies to its name (thought to have happened shortly after the paraoh's death), the tomb stood as a virtual time capsule. No other tomb is thought to be as complete. This gives a very good insight into the climate of the period. Having such a number and range of artifacts from the same time period allows scholars to draw conclusions about everything from the religious practices of the period, to the way furniture was made, and to make guesses about the wealth of the pharaoh and of Egypt itself. These artifacts went on to be some of the most-exhibited and well known works of art from the period, and are now synonymous with one's mental image of Egypt.
What is perhaps most overlooked and most interesting