PHAROAH’S TOMB.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2545, 20 February 1923, Page 3

PHAROAH’S TOMB.

GREATEST SIGHT EVER SEEN. London, February 17. A Luxor message status: The jnajor portion of the wall of Tutankhamen’s tomb was removed today. One room and one sarcophagus were found. The latter enclosed a huge canopy. The room was filled with objects even more magnificent than the treasures previously found. The wealth and magnificence discovered surpass everything previously seen. When the sealed door was partially demolished, and by a light thrown into the interior by an electric torch there was revealed a chamber 14 feet square, beyond which was a mortuary chamber. When Lord Carnarvon entered he was amazed and awed by the scene. He exclaimed gaspingly: “It is magnificent—unique! It is the greatest sight I have ever seen!”

Meanwhile, paper impressions were taken of the 3,000-year-old •seals on the doors. The tomb’s sacrophagus contained a mummy. In the corner of the room was a beautiful canoptic vase and a lifelike painted statue of a cat. an extraordinary beautiful work of art. The second chamber was stacked with treasures ofllthe most striking description, including a wonderful golden chariot, complete, on wheels. The walls were richly decorated and inscribed. Strewn on the floor was a confused array of gold and precious ornaments, clearly indicating that robbers had at some time in-, vaded the chamber. MORE WONDERS UNFOLDED. London, February 17.

A special message from Luxor states that the opening of the sealed chamber of Tutankhamen’s tomb revealed the resplendent mausoleum of a king. It is a spafiious and beautifully decorated chamber, completely occupied by an immense shrine, covered with gold and inlaict with brilliant blue faience work, towering nearly to the ceiling, and l filling" the great sepulchral hall, to within a short span of the four walls. ‘

Within is yet another-shrine, closed and sealed, bearing the cypher of the Royal necropolis. Judging by (he evidence of the papyrus of Raineses TV., there must be a series of shrines covering the remains of the King. Lying in the sarcophagus around the outer canopy stand great protective emblems of a mystic type. Upon the door are seven oars for the King’s use on the waters of the Elvsian fields, after death.

Amongst the. innumerable articles of: beautiful workmanship and untold value slacked in the chamber is the head of a bull, emblematic of the underworld; also miniature coffins, containing funerary statuettes, as servants for the dead in the coming world; also other curious emblematic figures. It is reasonably certain that the construction of the successive tabernacles, which baffled the ancient robbers, makes their immediate opening impossible, and that the actual sight of Tutankhamen’s remains and spot where he lies must be postponed indefinitely.