Item TAA i.2.13 - Journal: object inventory, 1922-1929

Identity area

Reference code

TAA i.2.13

Title

Journal: object inventory, 1922-1929

Date(s)

  • c. 1922-1930 (Creation)

Level of description

Item

Extent and medium

1 line-ruled notebook

Context area

Name of creator

(1874-1928)

Biographical history

British Egyptologist. Born, Glenorchy, Hobart, Tasmania 1874. Died, Haywards Heath, Sussex 1928. Educated, St Edward's School, Oxford, then Keble College, Oxford. BA, 1895. Worked with W. M. F. Petrie at Dendera, Hû, and Abydos, between 1897-1901. Assisted G. A. Reisner on the California University excavations at Gîza, 1901-6. From 1906 onwards, he spent of the rest of his career working for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, culminating in the position of Associate Curator in 1922. He founded and directed the first Metropolitan Museum expedition to Egypt. Between 1922-4 he was engaged as an assistant to H. Carter during the early stages of excavating of the tomb of Tutankhamun. He was forced to resign this position due to poor health. He published several books and articles and collaborated with Carter on the first volume of the publication The Tomb of Tut.Ankh.Amen (1923).

Name of creator

(1874-1939)

Biographical history

British Egyptologist. Born, London 1874. Died, London 1939. Privately educated. Employed by P. E. Newberry in 1891 working for the Archaeological Survey. Assisted in excavations for the Egypt Exploration Fund 1892-3, was with Petrie at Amarna in 1892, and as a draughtsman to the Deir el-Bahri expedition 1893-9. Appointed Chief Inspector of Antiquities of Upper Egypt 1899-1904. Discovered several royal tombs, including those of Hatshepsut, Tuthmosis IV and Amenophis I. Inspector of Lower Egypt 1905. Employed by Lord Carnarvon from 1909 onwards, to excavate in the Theban necropolis, the Delta and Middle Egypt. His most famous discovery, that of the intact tomb of Tutankhamun, was made in 1922. He spent the next ten years recording the tomb's contents. Most of Carter's records for Tutankhamun's tomb remain unpublished.

Archival history

Formerly in the possession of Howard Carter's niece Miss Phyllis Walker.

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Presented by Miss Phyllis Walker in 1945.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Notebook with an inventory of objects from Tutankhamun's tomb with recording and conservation schedule, 1922-1930

  • 25 numbered items: 23 pages (openings) and 2 loose notes
  • Manuscript records
  • List of object numbers with the schedule for recording, conservation and photography and crating for transportation to Cairo, not comprehensive
  • Data is arranged in columns with the following headings:
    • 'No.' (i.e. Carter's Tutankhamun object number)
    • 'Brought to No. 15' (i.e. KV 15, the tomb of Seti II, used as the 'laboratory' during the excavation)
    • 'Treated'
    • 'Recorded'
    • 'Photographed'
    • 'Packed'
    • 'Box No.'
  • Pages 1-8
    • Compiled by Arthur Mace
    • Object numbers 1 to 171
    • Dated '1922-1923'
  • Pages 8-10
    • Object numbers 172 to 220
    • Not dated, presumably 1923
  • Pages 11-14
    • Object numbers 172-253 (sic) (numbers 172-220 repeated)
    • Titled and dated 'Sepulchral Chamber Nov. 1923' on page 11
  • Pages 15-19
    • Object numbers 253 to 260
    • Dated 'Oct. 1925'
  • Note 19A
    • Object numbers 257-260 (magical figures from niches in wall of sarcophagus chamber)
    • Not dated
  • Pages 20-21
    • Object numbers 261-265
    • Titled and dated 'Sequence Nos and Notes - Store Room (1926-1927)' on page 20
    • All entries on page 20 crossed through (cancelled)
  • Page 22
    • Object numbers 339, 340, 343, 353, 359, 360, 374, 385, 404, 405, 407, 408, 410, 417, 420, 421, 423, 435, 448, 449, 479, 480, 482, 483, 485, 520, 524, 578, 579, 583, 588, 603, 604, 620 (bowl)
    • Titled and dated 'Photos required - 1928-29.'
  • Note 22A
    • 'Note for Burton'
    • 'A set of prints required for register: Nos 1135 to 1150.'
  • Pages 23-
    • Lists of object types with object numbers
    • 'Arms': Nos. 582 (scimitar), 620 (scimitar), 620 (boomerangs, ivory)
    • 'Head-rests': Nos. 403a, 403b, 403c, 403d
    • 'Misc. objects': Nos. 469 (silver vase), 620 (castanets, ivory), 620 (dog bronze), 620 (small box, wood)
    • 'Faience objects': Nos. 399 a & b
    • 'Ivory inlaid chair': Nos. 126, 131 (both numbers crossed through, i.e. cancelled)

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

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Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Property of the Griffith Institute. No restrictions.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright Griffith Institute, University of Oxford.

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Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Archived scans in Griffith Institute.

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Publication note

  • Not currently available online (status 26/07/2022)

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