File TAA i.3.13 - Gesso: Tutankhamun excavation documentation - Carter's notes for planned publication

Identity area

Reference code

TAA i.3.13

Title

Gesso: Tutankhamun excavation documentation - Carter's notes for planned publication

Date(s)

  • 12-02-1931 (Creation)
  • c. 1922-1939 (Creation)

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1 folder

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Biographical history

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 Most of Carter's records for Tutankhamun's tomb remain unpublished.

Name of creator

(1867-1945)

Biographical history

British chemist. Born, Chorlton-upon-Medlock 1867. Died, Luxor 1945. Educated, School of Mines, London, and the Royal College of Science. Worked for the British Government as an assistant chemist, until ill health prompted a move to Egypt. There he was engaged as an assistant chemist to the Government Salt Department, 1898. He initially managed the Survey Department and Assay Office laboratories, he was then appointed Chemist for the Antiquities Service, 1923-32. Honorary Consulting Chemist, 1932-45. He was able to put his expertise in cleaning, consolidating, and conserving antiquities to good use when he was lent by the Antiquities Service to H. Carter during the excavation of the tomb of Tutankhamun. He also worked at Tanis with P. M. Montet. Published many books about his work in this field.

Archival history

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

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Donated by Miss Phyllis Walker in 1945.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Gesso. Howard Carter's collected notes for the intended scientific publication of Tutankhamun's tomb.

  • i. Typescript letter from Dr Alexander Scott, December 1930, to Howard Carter, on animal tissue with gesso used under gold on the burial shrines. Also, see Chemistry notes (TAA i.3.9).
  • ii. Photograph of a microscope slide, sample with animal hair follicles, enclosed with Scott's letter.
  • iii. Alfred Lucas's manuscript notes on the analysis of gesso, which mentions a layer of ‘course woven fabric’ found under gesso.
  • iv. Howard Carter's manuscript notes on components of gypsum, whiting and chalk.

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Property of the Griffith Institute. No restrictions.

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Copyright Griffith Institute, University of Oxford.

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Archived scans in Griffith Institute.

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Publication note

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