Yes, I am starting off this blog post by quoting Howard Carter since later in the morning I will be visiting KV62 in the Valley of the Kings.
” Carter’s hands were trembling when he exposed the tomb in Carnarvon’s presence. “At first I could see nothing, the hot air escaping from the chamber causing the candle flame to flicker,” Carter later wrote, “but presently, as my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room within emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, statues, and gold—everywhere the glint of gold.” Carter was dumbstruck with amazement, prompting the impatient Lord Carnarvon to ask, “Can you see anything?” The gaping archaeologist eventually composed himself enough to reply, “Yes, wonderful things!” https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/uncovering-tutankhamuns-tomb-180957168/
But first: Our day started off with lecture # 3 from Dr. Zahi Hawass in the Valley of the Monkeys. Since his lectures usually last about 45 minutes to an hour, he found us a nice place to sit in the shadows of the cliff, right across from a dig site: the Hearth and WV-T (see the third pic below).
He told us about all the findings in the area, and what they are working on now. (See attached Youtube video of the announcement he made to the press just a few weeks before our visit)
Dr. Zahi Hawass: In the field and in his element
https://www.archaeology.org/news/8106-191015-egypt-luxor-industry
Some artfifacts they had on display for our group
Current work happening while we were there: Looks like they just uncovered a new structure
Valley of the Kings
After our very insightful meeting with Dr. Hawass, we traveled the short distance to the Valley of the Kings. Since tour guides are not allowed to speak in the tombs, we were given our tickets and allowed to see what we wanted at our leisure. I say that in jest because I purchased the maximum amount of tickets available for the day. I managed to see all I could with five minutes to spare before our bus was ready to leave the area to take us to lunch. Here are some of the “wonderful things” I saw. 🙂
KV57 Hormheb
KV35 Amenhetep II
KV17 Sety I
Scientists doing work in Side Chamber Jb
KV62: Tutankhamen
You can definitely see the difference in the quality of the artwork versus other tombs. (Rush job)
When I was here in 2017, Tut’s outmost gold coffin was on display. It is now in the conservation lab at the GEM. (The granite sarcophagus is left – empty, and the body of Tut is also still in the tomb )
KV9: Rameses V/VI
KV14 Tausert / Setnakht
Dr. Salima Ikram, a distinguished professor of Egyptology was filming for an upcoming documentary in this tomb when I walked through. She kindly posed for a picture. She is so intelligent, warm, caring, and good-hearted. I learned a lot about mummification from her documantary specials. Meeting her made my day!
I also visited KV15 Sety II, and KV 11 Rameses III.
One thing I also noticed was all the work being done now in the Valley. Two different teams were working in different sections. One team was working above KV8 – Merenptah’s tomb, and perhaps in an area around KV61(unknown tomb) Will show pic when I CAN!
To be continued…
If you enjoy reading my posts about Egypt, STEM, Drones, MIT, mountains, or mysteries I hope you will want to run out and purchase my first book, “Osiris Returns”. With some luck, it should come to market late 2020 / early 2021. Please consider staying in the loop. An email sign-up form can be found at the bottom of my home page along with my social media links. Your email will only be used to alert you when it comes out. I will not use or share your email for any other purpose.
