The Tomb of Tutankhamun [Hardcover]

The Tomb of Tutankhamun by Howard Carter is without doubt one of the best written and most entertainingly written records of an expedition, not to mention thorough and based upon the initial evidence and knowledge of archaeologists of the time, a work of significant historical interest. Of course, since it's original publication in three volumes (herein presented in a single, hardback digest sized volume) the world of archaeology has moved on, a greater understanding of both Tutankhamun, his reign and his lineage, even though we still are not entirely certain as to the exact identity of his parents, that Akhenaten had secondary wives, etc; this book is still a valuable text and account of the excavation. Indeed Carter's excavation, though somewhat criticised by modern archaeologists with greater knowledge, and scientific techniques and their disposal, was a vast improvement over Carter's contemporaries and earlier excavations that had occurred in the Valley. Carter's recording of the finds was thorough, clear, in-depth and meticulous. Objects were well documented and excellent black and white photos recording the finds, both in situ and individually were taken by Harry Burton. One just needs to compare Carter's techniques with that of Theodore Davis, his predecessor, a wealthy American retired financier who discovered numerous tombs in the Valley and for whom Carter had worked as an artist in his early career in Thebes. By contrast to Carter's care and attention to the finds in the Tomb, Davis was more set in treasure hunting than preserving the archaeological record and it is one of the great tragedies of Egyptology in the method and way Davis carried out his excavations. Tales of tearing up corn and bead necklaces (of which only 3 survive) at parties that would have been used at Tutankamun's funeral is but one example of Davis' lack of respect for his finds. Furthermore, the shoddy treatment of Tomb KV55, now known to have been the final resting place of Tutankhamun's father, and the woefully inadequate recording of the finds, with few photographs of the mummy as found, and the lack of care to preserve objects demonstrate the skill and care Carter possessed as archaeologist, and what a tragedy it would have been had Davis have discovered the tomb instead.

The book has been nicely presented here, compact and hardback, with an attractive cover design which hasn't resorted to the usual clichéd motif of using the golden death mask as part of it's cover design. However although the text is interesting and informative, in order to appreciate the magnificence of Tutankhamun's tomb and it's treasures, the reader needs to see them. Not a single photograph by Harry Burton which illustrated the three original volumes has been included in this single edition and that of great disappointment when reading and detracts from the impact of the book quite significantly. Although Burton's photos were in black and white and not to the high, if not excellent, standard of photography that can be found in the plentiful books on the subject today, it is a shame not to have included them herein. Even small reproductions of (at the very least) some of them would have lightened up this book quite considerably. For readers familiar with the pharoah's treasure and just wishing to read about the excavation, then this inexpensive yet nicely presented portable edition should suffice but for the more general reader wishing to understand the discovery of one of Egypt's greatest archaeological discoveries, doubtless disappointment will follow from this edition. A most useful book to accompany the excellent work by Nicholas Reeves on Tutankhamun and his tomb, which replicates many of Burton's photographs and conveys mostly up to date scholarship on the king, and the gloriously illustrated books by Sandro Vannini and Zahi Hawass. However, be aware, better editions exist of the same book and the omission of the photographs should be of important consideration when choosing whether to buy this edition.

I remember in the 1960's reading the original books (2 volumes) that were published by Howard Carter not long after he had finished cataloguing the extraordinary finds from the tomb. Although all the photographs were in black and white they showed beautiful objects, the like of which had never been seen before and promoted a "Tutankhamun fever". This passion for all things Egyptian influenced interior decoration and even the architecture of the time. It is easy to understand why people were so passionate. These were objects that also increased my own love of the history of the Ancient Egyptians. It also aroused my interest in deciphering and understanding hieroglyphics.

One can get a feel from the book, about what it must have been like to gaze into the confines of a space made by other human beings many centuries ago. To see objects and to wonder about the skill and patience of the people who had made them, sometimes with the most rudimentary equipment and yet we are unable to replicate them in this modern scientific world.

Everything that was in the tomb was there for a purpose, either to assist Tutanhamun to get to the next world, or to be of use to him when he arrived there. It is impossible to envisage what it must have been like to discover the tomb. In fact it was only Carter's determination, some would say bloody mindedness that uncovered a tomb that many eminent Egyptologist's of his day said did not exist. His backer Lord Caernarvon had been ready to give up the franchise months before, but agreed to give Howard Carter one last try.

There have been several documentaries in recent years that seem to go out of there way to discredit Howard Carter. Some allege that he had entered the tomb a long time before the official opening and had removed some of the wonderful objects for himself. It seems to me to be too easy to make accusations against someone who can no longer defend himself. Carter was a well respected Egyptologist and why he should do anything to jeopardise his reputation is beyond my belief.

This book is a must for the avid enthusiast of all things Egyptian. Even for those with only a passing interest in the Egyptian Pharaoh's and Tutankhamun in particular, the book is still worth a place on the bookshelf.

The first hand account of the discovery of the tomb and its contents is compelling enough. However, the detailed description by the author of the individual objects found would be far more interesting if the book included at least some of Harry Burton's excellent original photographs. In the end I decided to refer to the web where all of Burton's photos can be seen, finally bringing the objects alive.