The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-26
DUG TH|RTy-THREE YEARS UNTIL FAME CAME T0 CARTER
Foil, Research and Patience Is Price of Success in
 Egypt

VALLEY OF THE KINGS, LUXOR, Egypt. March 25. (By Associated Press.)-While the world has been following with unabated interest and curiosity the wonderful archaeologi- cal discoveries in the Valley of the Kings. little thought has been given to the years of toll, research and patience given by archaeologists in these far-off ruins in order that these wonders of a vanished civiliZa- tion may be made available to pres ent generations. It is perhaps little understood that the recent unearth- ing of the tomb of King Tutankh- amun by Howard Carter, the British eXcavator, represents continuous effort of 33 years of research and excavation. Carter began digging on the site of Thebes, the ancient capital of Egypt, when he was IS and has never ceased his labors.
 He was never rich enough to con- duct his own excavations, but has invariably worked for others. Some of his most notable work was done under Theodore NJ. Davis, of Boston, who from 1907 to 1914 discovered six royal tombs and wealth of rare and valuable antiquities. In more recent years Carter has been associated with Lord Carnarvon, who financed the eXcavating work of Tutankh- amn's tomb. Carter has derived no pecuniary reward from his years of research. A friend has described him as "poor as a tomb mousse. Amer ican visitors at the newly found tomb have remarked that the now famous excavator wears the same suit of clothes. the same hat and shoes. daily, Sunday, and throughout the year.
 Typical Example.
 Carter's devotion and labors in the cause of Egyptological science are typical of the example of all excava- tors. British, American and French. in the ancient ruins of Egypt. These men may he described as modern hermits in this 5.000-year-old Valley of the Kings. They lead one sided and narrow existence. Cut off from all civlizing and uplifting influences. the score or more of them who com prise the foreign colonies of Luxor move within narrow grove ana seldom even come in contact with one another. Excavating Is almost a religion with them.
 The Valley of the Kings and the Theban hills. 450 miles up the Me from Cairo. are infested with wolves. jackals. wildcats, foxes. snakes, liz- ards. scorpions. vultures, beetles ana vermin. The archaeologists live in
  houses with nothing but the barest rough hewn furniture and the most primitive household equipment The house occupied by the American eX- rerts was built through the generos- ity of the late J. Pierpont Morgan. who was moved to pity by their prl- vations and exposure.
 The natives of the valley are pa thetically poor and untutored. Food is scarce and expensive. Water. where it exists at all, has to be brought from afar in hand buckets. The nights are cold, and fuel is diff cult to obtain. Many of the other needs of life also are lacking. The heat of the valley is distressingly se- were during the day. and the entire area is plagued with flies and per nicious insects.
 o O O
 Live Like Reduces.
 The archaeologists have few social contacts. They live like recluses. The whole west bank of the Nile in the