TUTANKHAMEN’S TOMB.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1924, Page 2

TUTANKHAMEN’S TOMB.

A GORGEOUS COFFIN. iUSTRAI.IAN AND N'.Z. CAIII.B ASSOCIATION CAIRO. Feb. 12. Within the most gorgeous coffin ever discovered, the shrouded King holds in his hand a golden sceptre, and other regalia The face is masked, life-like, and solid, with gold and crystal eyes. Goddesses with outstretched wings and arms guard the body. LUXOR Feb. 12. AY lieu tbe moment for tbe raising ol the lid of tbe sarcophagus arrived. Air Carter was so excited that lie lent a native workman a hand. Jhe lid weighed a ton and a-half. Meanwhile the other excavators am! experts were watching. The first glimpse inside only showed a dark brown mass, buiging in places, suggesting a wooden coffin mis-shapen by age. but it was soon evident tins dark brown shroud was covering the coffin. AA ith trembling fingers. Mr Carter and Air Callender slowly turned hack the covering, and revealed a golden coffin of radiant beauty. It bad been bidden under throe thicknesses of cheap stuff, originally white, but rusted with ago. Tiiorc was ;t gasp of astonishment when the golden coffin was seen in the glare of the electric light. It is in curved relief throughout. The King's features are so exquisitely modelled that tbe sarcophagus was more like a masterpiece of sculpture than a coffin.

Tutankhamen is represented as wearing a golden crown, with serpents’ and hawks’ heads. crusted “ith ’apis la-

muila, and rarmuf; a crack sceptre and flail in the hands, vhh'h are folded over the breast. Ibe face of the King is youthful, though it bad the customary long golden heard of the phnrnah. It- is singularly handsome, wiib a full sensitive mouth, and a small refined nose. There are exquisitely modelled eyes, picked out with semi-precious stones. The whole face, which is three times life size, conveys tin' impression ol severity, anil dignity. Evidently tlie portrait is tbe sculpture, of a master craftsman. The lower part- of tbe body is enloldeci with wings of protective goddesses. Except for sparing incrustations of lapis lazuli, tbe coffin is made entirely of gold sheeting over wood. The only llaw is the slight discolouration of the feet with bitumen. A wreath of natural flowers surrounds the (head, which is now brittle with age. Ihe crook and sceptre in the right hand are about lour feet long. Apparently they are made with wood, decorated with gold and semi-precious stones. A flail in the left hand, which is a symbol of power, is ol gold. I hose sceptres are detachable. There is a short lengthwise band oi inscription* introducing tbe King’s cartouches. Tbe coffin is supported on a golden bier, resembling a sleigh, and decorated with lion beads. Tbe whole recalls the beautifully sculptured granite inner lid of Alerenpf all’s sarcophagus, which still lies in his tomb in the A'alley of Kings. .An excellent idea of Tutankhamen’s coffin can be gained by imaging Alei'cnptah’s effigy in gold, instead of granite. There is not the slightest doubt that the King’s mummy is within, but there may well Im' other coffin coverings of equal beauty to that disclosed to-day.