The Tutankhamun Centenary 2022
Correcting the blemished record on Lord George Carnarvon
The Myth of "Wonderful Things"
From William Cross, FSA Scot
Cross is the author of six books on the Carnarvons of Highclere Castle with lurid tales of the 4th, 5th and 6th Countesses of Carnarvon
WHAT WAS ACTUALLY SAID IN 1922 WHEN HOWARD CARTER AND LORD GEORGE CARNARVON LOOKED INSIDE THE TOMB OF TUTANKHAMUN FOR THE FIRST TIME?
It seems ‘Wonderful things’ was never uttered!
In an effort to ensure accuracy in the Carnarvon- Carter- Tutankhamun Timetable as the 2022 centenary approaches the question above merits a revisit as the historical record is presently flawed.
This is a note in a series on the Internet by William Cross, biographer of Almina, 5th Countess of Carnarvon and author of the books “ The Life and Secrets of Almina Carnarvon” and “ Lordy! Tutankhamun’s Patron As A Young Man.”
This is how Lord Carnarvon described the scene at the Tomb in an article for ‘The Times’ newspaper of London :
“ …..it was a very exciting moment. I said to Mr.Carter, "We must have a look in." With great precautions we took out a bit of the seal.
I fully expected to find another staircase or passage blocked up with stone. Mr Carter holding a candle before him put his head in."He did not say anything for two or three minutes, but kept me in rather painful suspense.
I thought I had been disappointed again, and I said, "Can you see anything?" "Yes, yes," he replied, "it’s wonderful."That was very cheering, but I never really guessed what was inside, I put my head in, and with the aid of a candle , saw a most extraordinary sight. I said, "How very extraordinary! What on earth is that Mr Carter said, "Oh, those are beds……”
We started to work, and eventually we went in, and I must say the sight that met us was beyond anything I had ever conceived possible……”
This is how Howard Carter described the same scene in his diaries :
We started Lord Carnarvon said to me “ Can you see anything?”
I replied to him “ Yes, it is wonderful.”
[ Cited by H V Whinstone in ‘Howard Carter and the discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun.’ ]
The two accounts from Lord Carnarvon and his side kick Howard Carter are identical!
The Myths of “ Wonderful Things” and “ Wonders”
The usual, much repeated answer given to Carnarvon’s question to Carter of “ Can you see anything?” is of Carter saying “ Yes, wonderful things!” - yet this is not borne out by the recollections of either Lord Carnarvon or Howard Carter.
Almina always told her godson that when Lady Evelyn Herbert ( later Beauchamp ) was recalling the exchange, [ she was present at the Tomb ] she reported that Carter’s answer to Lord Carnarvon was “ Yes, wonders!”
FURTHER INFORMATION
Please contact the author William Cross by e-mail.
William Cross, FSA Scot is the author of six books on the Carnarvons of Highclere Castle
The Life and Secrets of Almina Carnarvon: A Candid Biography of Almina, 5th Countess of Tutankhamun Fame
Lady Carnarvon’s Nursing Homes : Nursing the Privileged in Wartime and Peace
Dennistoun v Dennistoun : The Dustbin Case
Lordy! Tutankhamun’s Patron As A Young Man
Catherine and Tilly: Porchey Carnarvon’s Two Duped Wives
Tilly Losch : ‘Schlagobers’ Sweet fragments From Her Life
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