Tutankhamun’s Enigmatic Middle Coffin Unveiled in Stunning 1925 Photograph

The highly anticipated Discovery of King Tut exhibition in New York city opens this weekend and will run through May 1, 2016. It was nearly a century ago (1922) that archaeologist Howard Carter captured the world’s imagination with the astounding discovery of the undisturbed tomb of Tutankhamun.Harry Burton, an English Egyptologist and archaeological photographer, documented the remarkable excavation on behalf of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, taking over 1400 photos of the once-in-a-lifetime event.For the New York exhibition, British specialist studio Dynamichrome colorized a selection of Burton’s photos, each marking a milestone during the excavation. These will go on display in a special gallery, focusing on “the romance between New York and King Tut.”Jordan Lloyd and his team at Dynamichrome were kind enough to share the photos that will be on display at the exhibit. Below you will find the black and white and colorized versions below along with captions describing each photo.

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzA3NDRfZmNfY29tLmpwZw==.png

Tutankhamun lies intact with his burial mask on – this photograph was taken as the coffin lid was taken off. The 24 pound mask is made of solid gold inlaid with blue glass and other semi-precious stones, the distinctive nemes head cloth depict the Egyptian goddesses Nekhbet the vulture, symbolising the sovereignty over Upper Egypt and Wadjet the snake upon the brow symbolising the sovereignty over Lower Egypt. Not seen in this famous image is a protection spell inscribed on the back and shoulders of the mask.

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzA3NzBfZmNfY29tLmpwZw==.png

Carter and a worker examine the solid gold innermost sarcophagus, shown within a gilded, laminated wood coffin of different coloured glass.

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzA3MjBfZmNfY29tLmpwZw==.png

Howard Carter examines Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus.

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzA2NDNfZmNfY29tLmpwZw==.png

Howard Carter, Arthur Callender and an Egyptian worker open the doors of the innermost shrine and get their first look at Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus.

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzA2MDVfZmNfY29tLmpwZw==.png

Carter, Callender and two Egyptian workers carefully dismantle one of the golden shrines within the burial chamber.

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzA2MTlfZmNfY29tLmpwZw==.png

Carter, Mace and an Egyptian worker carefully roll up the linen pall covering the second shrine.

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzA2MTZfZmNfY29tLmpwZw==.png

Inside the outermost shrine in the burial chamber, a huge linen pall with gold rosettes, reminiscent of the night sky, covers the smaller shrines within. The mural upon right northern wall depicts three scenes of Tutankhamun in the guise of Osiris, with Ay, the new Pharaoh performing the ‘opening of the mouth ceremony’. On the left western wall are shown various Egyptian deities such as Horus and Maat.

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzExNjlfZmNfY29tLmpwZw==.png

A statue of Anubis on a shrine with pallbearers’ poles in the treasury of the tomb.

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzE5NjFfZmNfY29tLmpwZw==.png

A gilded bust of the Celestial Cow Mehet-Weret and chests sit in the treasury of the tomb.

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzEwOTFfZmNfY29tLmpwZw==.png

Chests inside the treasury made from various materials including ivory, ebony and Egyptian redwood which would’ve contained jewelry, clothing and cosmetics for the boy king.

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzEwOTdiX2ZjX2NvbS5qcGc=.png

An assortment of model boats in the treasury of the tomb. In all, some 35 boats were located throughout the tomb, symbolic of the transporting the king on his journey through the streams of the underworld towards resurrection.

Howard Carter, Arthur Callender and an Egyptian worker wrap one of the sentinel statues for transport.

Numerous chariots are stacked up against the wall. A great schematic of the arrangement of the entire tomb can be found here.

A ceremonial bed in the shape of the Celestial Cow, surrounded by provisions and other objects in the antechamber of the tomb. The white ovoid shaped objects are food offerings, including one containing beef!

Ornately carved alabaster vases in the antechamber, containing perfume.

Under the lion bed in the antechamber are several boxes and chests, and an ebony and ivory chair which Tutankhamun used as a child.

A gilded lion bed, clothes chest and other objects in the antechamber. The wall of the burial chamber is guarded by statues.

Lord Carnarvon, financier of the excavation and Howard Carter posing outside the Burial Chamber

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzA0OTFfZmNfY29tLmpwZw==.png

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzAwMTJfZmNfY29tLmpwZw==.png

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzAwMDlfZmNfY29tLmpwZw==.png

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzAwMTBfZmNfY29tLmpwZw==.png

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzAwMDlfZmNfY29tMS5qcGc=.png

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzAwMDdfZmNfY29tLmpwZw==.png

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzAyOTFfZmNfY29tLmpwZw==.png

ZHluMDFfYnVydG9uXzYyX3BrdjkzX2ZjX2NvbS5qcGc=.png

Related Posts

13-Million-Year-Old Fossil Skeleton of 73-Foot Female Blue Whale Unearthed!

Paleontologists have ᴜпeагtһed the 13-million-year-old fossil ѕkeɩetoп of a 73-foot-long female blue whale , one of the largest and most remarkable prehistoric discoveries of its kind. The fossilized remains of this ancient whale offer a гагe glimpse …

Read more

34-Million-Year-Old Whale Skeleton Discovered at Jougla Point, Antarctic Peninsula!

At Jougla Point , near Port Lockroy on the Antarctic Peninsula , paleontologists have ᴜпeагtһed the fossilized ѕkeɩetoп of a 34-million-year-old whale . This extгаoгdіпагу discovery provides a гагe glimpse into the ancient marine life that once thrived …

Read more

Scientist Assembles 4,500-Year-Old Sperm Whale Skeleton in Loenen, Netherlands!

In a fascinating project, a scientist in Loenen, Netherlands , is meticulously arranging the ѕkeɩetoп of a sperm whale that is over 4,500 years old . This remarkable find sheds light on the ancient marine ecosystems and the history of these magnificent …

Read more

New Dinosaur Footprints Found in Arkansas, Estimated to Be 76 Million Years Old!

Scientists have recently uncovered new dinosaur footprints in Arkansas, dating back approximately 76 million years. These fossilized tracks, discovered in an area not previously known for dinosaur activity, provide valuable insight into the region’s ancient …

Read more

Complete Female Ichthyosaur Skeleton from the Early Jurassic, 184 Million Years Ago!

A complete and articulated ѕkeɩetoп of a female Stenopterygius quadriscissus , commonly known as an ichthyosaur, has been discovered, dating back to the Early Jurassic period about 184 million years ago. This marine reptile, resembling modern-day dolphins, …

Read more

45-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Bones at Dinosaur National Monument!

At the Quarry Exhibit Hall, located within Dinosaur National Monument on the border of Utah and Colorado, visitors can view 45-million-year-old dinosaur bones embedded in the rock. This remarkable site is home to an extensive fossil bed that showcases …

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *