The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-18
LUXOR, Egypt, Feb. 10.
lERHAPS $4,000, 900 might fairly
,~x.n "a. $. 8.

nERHAPS' $40, OOO,O 900 might fairly
well appraise the money value Of
the gold and silver and jewels in
King Tutankhamen,s tomb, but nobody
can estimate the value to the civilized
world Of the new treasure Of historical
knowledge which Lord Carnarvon and his
explorers have opened up.
Every day as the archaeologists and
their assistants emerge from the dark
silence Of that tomb and bring up into the
light Of the twentieth century some new
treasure, the modern world learns some
thing more Of the fascinating story Of the
civilization on the banks Of the Nile 5000
years ago.
There is little doubt that Egypt was at
the zenith Of her greatness at the time
when old King Tutankhamen died, and 50
il is that the rich storehouse which Lord
carnarvon has opened represents the best
Of Egyptian art and culture.
Much that the students Of Egyptian his.
tory have suspected IS now made clear BY
the discoveries in this tomb. AT present
very few Of the thousands Of articles
stored there have been examined It will
be many years before the EgyptOIogists
have completed their studies Of this vast
wealth 81 new knowledge which has been
opened to them. Some Of the objects will
find their way to America, but the Mu-
scum ct Cairo will retain most Of them.
The position Of the mummies Of the old
King and his Queen and the paintings on
the walls and the almost endless variety
of things ii the tomb make plain the
scene Of the last hours in that great sep
ulchre 1900 years ago, when the mighty
King was laid away to rest through the
centuries. The artist has reproduced,
on the adjoining page, that last scene
thirty centuries ago with striking reality
and fidelity to the historical facts and
actual settings as if he himself had been
there to witness that scene.
After many rites and ssacrifces the
mummy is brought into the chapel Of the
tomb, as the artist shows, and here the
double" Tor genius" Of the departed)
receives the homage and presents from
his relatives.
This chapel is at the entrance end of
the long series Of compartments forming
the underground sepulchre. The walls
are covered from floor to ceiling with
fresco paintings in which every phase of
life is depicted, including pictures of of
ferings and food for the enjoyment of
the double"
The Egyptians believed that while the
latter looked at these paintings the things
represented could become real They
form, in fact, talismans which have the
virtue of securing the effective enjoyment
of these objects, gratifying the doubles"
eyes and satisfying his appetite. The pro-
cess of embalming transformed the body
into rigid and powerless form, incapable
of accomplishing any of the functions of
existence. These effects must be can
celled if he is to become reincarnated,
and this is attained by last rite, called
1.-THE Opening Of the Mouth"
The master of the ceremonies placed
the mummy, standing, on heap of sand
at the end of the chapel. The four
canopic jars containing the entrails are
placed around him, each jar with lid of
different shape-one has the head of
man, another that of jackal, the third
of hawk, and the fourth of Cynophelus,
these representing the sons of Horus.
Before beginning the final rites the
relatives and other mourners bid last
farewell to the departed. With outbursts
of tears and with tearing Of hair and
breasts, they make frequent and loud
lamentations and roll upon the ground.
The mummy is then adorned with flowers
and his knees are embraced, while the