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Chapter 13, Anubis and the King

Howard Carter and his team worked in the burial chamber for months.

From December 1923 to October 1926, work proceeded in Tutankhamund's House of Gold,

the Pair and Nebu. That was a long time, certainly the longest period devoted to a single room

in the tomb. To be clear, they did not work day in day out every month and year.

The excavation went in seasons, generally 8-12 weeks during the Egyptian winter.

And between December 1923 and October 1926, there were various disputes that interrupted the work.

Those are stories for the future. The point is, Carter spent a long time in the burial chamber alone.

It makes sense to Tutankhamund's shrines, sarcophagus, coffins, mask and mummy are stand-out items.

Each one required special care and attention, so we can understand.

But still, imagine the relief when finally they finished this room.

On 23 October 1926, Howard Carter and his colleagues returned the mummy of Tutankhamund to its sarcophagus.

Ever since the discovery, it was Carter's wish and Lord Canavins that Tutankhamund remain in his tomb.

The King should not go to Cairo or any museum. He should lie as he was found in the burial chamber.

To do that, the excavators cleaned and restored his coffin, the first or largest coffin.

They placed that in the sarcophagus and then laid the mummy within.

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