100th ANNIVERSARY OF TUTANKHAMUN’S TOMB’S DISCOVERY I cycled to see his tomb in Luxor - and wandered through the Museums in Cairo.

On 4 November 1922 in Egypt, a stone step that was cut into the rock was found, possibly by a young water carrier (the eventual account of the find is nebulous). The step was in the valley known 1,300 years ago as “The Great and Majestic Necropolis of the Millions of Years of the Pharaoh, Life, Strength, Health in The West of Waset“. The possible boy ‘may’ have been Hussein Abd El Rassul, or possibly Mohamed Gorgar (mentioned by Karl Kitchen). An Ahmed Gerigar was a ‘Rais’ – a foreman at the site. As Arabic transliterations often vary – the 2nd name may be the same in Arabic . Or was it actually a ‘water boy’ who found it – Carter wasnt even in the valley when the step was found. His excavation team had many years experence excavating the valley and would surely have found a hidden step rather than a chance find.

Seals on Tutankhamun's tomb door - by Harry Burton
Seals on Tutankhamun’s tomb door – by Harry Burton

This step was one of a series that led down Continue reading100th ANNIVERSARY OF TUTANKHAMUN’S TOMB’S DISCOVERY I cycled to see his tomb in Luxor – and wandered through the Museums in Cairo.

The Last Word for IASA my unexpected contribution to the International Association for the Study of Arabia

I am absolutely delighted that the International Association for the Study of Arabia (IASA https://iasarabia.org/) gave me the ‘last word’ in their 2022 Autumn Edition (number 29).

The Last Word - International Association for the Study of Arabia IASA Bulletin 2022
The Last Word – IASA Bulletin 2022

The IASA is a charitable organisation that exists to advance public knowledge of the Arabian Peninsula, through the promotion of research relating to its cultural and natural heritage. Continue readingThe Last Word for IASA my unexpected contribution to the International Association for the Study of Arabia