Today marks Howard Carter's 138th birthday
- 9 May 2012 18:46171254Howard Carter (1874 - 1939) English archeologist and Egyptologist who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen. On his grave in Putney Vale Cemetery is written: "May your spirit live, May you spend millions of years, You who love Thebes, Sitting with your face to the north wind, Your eyes beholding happiness" also "O night, spread thy wings over me as the imperishable stars".
- 9 May 2012 19:09171262how did he die, i seem to remember there was supposed to be a curse on anyone connected with the opening of the tomb?
- 9 May 2012 19:18171263My great-grandfather's brother, Sir William Garstin, was present at the tomb's opening and died in bizarre circumstances 3 years later.I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- 9 May 2012 19:47171272Much is made about the fact he died due to the curse of King Tut but apparently he actually died of lymphoma on 2nd March 1939 age 64.
Peter, interesting. Any idea how he died? - 10 May 2012 06:19171328There was a very good (BBC) series on Egypt and all those people who discovered various tombs and artifacts there.
I thought it was the best one I had ever seen. Howard Carter was (obviously) featured in one of the episodes. A really determined man and from memory a good man too (there were many bad men associated with tomb-finding and raiding).
Roger - 10 May 2012 08:23171344#4, the only family member I knew who also knew him was my grandmother, Sir William was my grandfather's Uncle Willy. She told me that Sir William became ill within a few weeks of the tomb's opening with a debilitating fever and rash which was never diagnosed. He drifted in and out of delirium for three years until his death in 1925.I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- 10 May 2012 08:31171345I saw that Roger, I love all things Egyptian. I agree he seemed lik a good man.
Peter, poor fellow.
