Howard Carter, the discoverer of Tutankhamun's tomb
It may simply have been the luck of the draw, but no one has probably favored the interests of Egyptology, and even the world's archaeological focus on Egypt more than Howard Carter. His discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun has inspired almost a century of Hollywood movies, books and media attention for the greatest of all the museums in this life we call Egypt. While Howard Carter discovered the tomb of a pharaoh almost intact may be lucky, it was the result of a career devoted to Egyptology and the culmination of consistent exploration.
Howard Carter was born May 9, 1874 in the small town of Kensington, London, England. His father, an artist named Samuel John Carter, who drew portraits (mostly animal) for local landowners, Howard trained in the fundamentals of drawing and painting. He was the youngest son Samuel Carter. But Howard Carter developed an interest in early Egypt, so when he was 17, under the influence of Lady Amherst, a family acquaintance, he sailed for Alexandria, Egypt. It would be his first trip outside of England, and he hoped to work with the Egyptian Exploration Fund as a tracer. Tracers copied drawings and inscriptions on paper for further study.
Howard Carter was born May 9, 1874 in the small town of Kensington, London, England. His father, an artist named Samuel John Carter, who drew portraits (mostly animal) for local landowners, Howard trained in the fundamentals of drawing and painting. He was the youngest son Samuel Carter. But Howard Carter developed an interest in early Egypt, so when he was 17, under the influence of Lady Amherst, a family acquaintance, he sailed for Alexandria, Egypt. It would be his first trip outside of England, and he hoped to work with the Egyptian Exploration Fund as a tracer. Tracers copied drawings and inscriptions on paper for further study.
His first assignment came in Bani Hassan, where he was responsible for recording and copying the scenes of the walls of tombs of the princes of Middle Egypt. They say he has worked diligently throughout the day, and slept with bats in the tombs at night.It was edited by William Flinders Petrie that Carter grew up on his own as an archaeologist. Considered one of the best in the field archaeologists of that time, Petrie really did not believe that Carter would never have become a good shovel. However, Carter could have best teacher at this point in time. A el Amrna, Carter proved wrong Petrie unearthing several important discoveries.
During this training period, Carter has also worked under Gaston Maspero, who later became the Director of Antiquities. After being designated as the artist digs the principle of Egyptian Exploration Fund at Deir el-Bahari, led by Edouard Naville, The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Carter honed his drawing skills and strengthen his excavations and restoration. Her admirable efforts on the project led to his appointment by the Director of Antiquities, at age 25, as the first Inspector General of Monuments for Upper Egypt. This was obviously an important area of Egypt which included the former zone of Thebes. He became responsible for the supervision and control throughout the archeology of the Upper Nile Valley.
It is interesting to note that during this time, he built the first electric lights in the Valley of the Kings (in different tombs) and the temples of Abu Simbel.Unfortunately, he was forced to resign from the Antiquities in 1905. An incident between Egyptian guards archaeological site of Saqqara and a few drunken French tourists. When tourists have become violent, Carter allowed the guards to defend. Tourists have protested several senior officials, including the Egyptian Consul General Lord Cromer. Cromer called for Carter to make a formal apology, but Carter refused, and was relieved of his post and re-post in Tanta, a place with very little archaeological involvement. Carter had little choice but to leave the service.
After resigning from the Antiquities Service, he spent the next four years as a watercolor painter and antique dealer. However, the search for private funding for the excavation, Carter became the supervisor of the excavations for the fifth Lord Carnarvon (George Herbert). While the First World War delayed the work of Howard Carter in 1914, Lord Carnarvon had one of the most valuable collections of Egyptian artifacts in private hands. He eventually discovered six tombs in the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank in Luxor. But Carter has become somewhat obsessed with finding the tomb of a pharaoh Tutankhamun relatively unknown named, and year after year, tried in vain to the lost tomb of Pharaoh.
In fact, Lord Carnarvon was becoming frustrated by the efforts of Carter, and in 1922 issued an ultimatum to the Egyptologist that this would be his final season of funding. Sure of his eventual success, 1 November 1922, Carter began digging for his final season and three days later revealed the stairs to the tomb of Tutankhamun. After digging into the plaster blocks from the grave, to 16 hours on November 26, 1922, Howard Carter crossed and made one of the most amazing discoveries of the 20th century. It will take ten years just to catalog the objects in that it falls, which are currently in the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo, if they are intended to be moved in the near future.
It is interesting to note that during this time, he built the first electric lights in the Valley of the Kings (in different tombs) and the temples of Abu Simbel.Unfortunately, he was forced to resign from the Antiquities in 1905. An incident between Egyptian guards archaeological site of Saqqara and a few drunken French tourists. When tourists have become violent, Carter allowed the guards to defend. Tourists have protested several senior officials, including the Egyptian Consul General Lord Cromer. Cromer called for Carter to make a formal apology, but Carter refused, and was relieved of his post and re-post in Tanta, a place with very little archaeological involvement. Carter had little choice but to leave the service.
After resigning from the Antiquities Service, he spent the next four years as a watercolor painter and antique dealer. However, the search for private funding for the excavation, Carter became the supervisor of the excavations for the fifth Lord Carnarvon (George Herbert). While the First World War delayed the work of Howard Carter in 1914, Lord Carnarvon had one of the most valuable collections of Egyptian artifacts in private hands. He eventually discovered six tombs in the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank in Luxor. But Carter has become somewhat obsessed with finding the tomb of a pharaoh Tutankhamun relatively unknown named, and year after year, tried in vain to the lost tomb of Pharaoh.
In fact, Lord Carnarvon was becoming frustrated by the efforts of Carter, and in 1922 issued an ultimatum to the Egyptologist that this would be his final season of funding. Sure of his eventual success, 1 November 1922, Carter began digging for his final season and three days later revealed the stairs to the tomb of Tutankhamun. After digging into the plaster blocks from the grave, to 16 hours on November 26, 1922, Howard Carter crossed and made one of the most amazing discoveries of the 20th century. It will take ten years just to catalog the objects in that it falls, which are currently in the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo, if they are intended to be moved in the near future.
Lord Carnarvon
Meanwhile, Lord Carnarvon died in Cairo of pneumonia. This sent the tabloids into a frenzy already. The hype about the mummy's curse set the media on the fire, and to the chagrin of Carter, he began receiving letters from spiritualists around the world. Legend has it that in 1929 eleven people connected with the discovery of the tomb had died, including two family members Lord Carnarvon and Carter's personal secretary, Richard Bethell.
This would reproduce movies mummy until the end of the century, the twentieth century and beyond.After his discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, Howard Carter retired from active field work. He began collecting Egyptian antiquities himself, and became a moderate success. He could often be found at the Old Winter Palace Hotel in Luxor, mostly kept to himself. He returned to Kensington, England, in 1939, and died March 2 this year at the age of 65.
This would reproduce movies mummy until the end of the century, the twentieth century and beyond.After his discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, Howard Carter retired from active field work. He began collecting Egyptian antiquities himself, and became a moderate success. He could often be found at the Old Winter Palace Hotel in Luxor, mostly kept to himself. He returned to Kensington, England, in 1939, and died March 2 this year at the age of 65.