... from "Egypt at Highclere", Lady Carnarvon's new book which accompanies the new Exhibition:
The last series of Galleries, in the Castle cellars, takes visitors on a short
journey which begins in November 1922. Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter
cleared the steps and passageway down to the plastered sealed door which led
into the antechamber of Tutankhamun’s tomb:
" Together, the excavators stood in front looking at the seal impressions. . .
Nervously, Carter made a small hole in the door, and reached up to hold a
candle. The candle flickered as the air escaped..."
The excavators widened the gaps in the plaster and Lady Evelyn, (Lord Carnarvon’s
daughter), Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter climbed in... "
Right. The actual entrance to the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings.
Visitors can see and look into the tomb through small apertures and then
go on through the cellars to see astonishing replicas of the scene witnessed by
Carnarvon and Carter on Sunday, 26th November 1922. Entering through into the
'Shrine Room' and the 'Treasury', visitors can observe closely some of
the extraordinary works of art.
The Tomb of Tutankhamun is the finest sealed Royal Tomb ever found in Egypt.
It yielded over 5,000 outstanding artefacts made from gold, silver, precious
jewels and beautiful wood. It also contained items from everyday life:
furniture, tools, shabti, models, boats, clothes, and even food to help sustain
the deceased Pharaoh on his journey to the 'Afterlife'. So it has provided an
amazing window back into a sophisticated culture and civilisation.
Click here to read previous visitor comments...
"Egypt at Highclere", £8.50 plus P&P;, (to obtain your copy, telephone 01635 253 210 or e-mail:
theoffice@highclerecastle.co.uk) provides fascinating reading to those
interested in the Exhibition, as well as useful information about mummification,
and brief explainations of the religious beliefs, culture and art. It is fully
illustrated and an excellent introduction to those who are first approaching
Ancient Egypt. It would also be a source of new information and photographs
for those well read in the subject as well as being a useful reference for teachers.
The Exhibition has comprehensive displays, photographs and information panels.
The Exhibition is open to visitors with either
separate tickets or combined tickets to allow a full visit to the Castle State Rooms as well.
Please see the Visitor Information section of this website, or click here
for up to date information on public opening times.
School visits, which have to be pre-booked, continue as always throughout term time.
