1-632-666 - Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images

The unofficial opening of the inner chamber of the tomb of Tutankhamun, Egypt, 1922. Dr A Gardiner and Professor Breasted, who were present as experts to examine the seals affixed to the entrance to the inner chamber. The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter (1874-1939) was one of the most astounding discoveries in archaeology. Tutankhamun was a previously unknown pharaoh whose name had been eradicated from historical records by one of his successors because of his association with the heretical pharaoh Akhenaten, who was Tutankhamun's father-in-law. Consequently his tomb, uniquely, had remained undisturbed by grave robbers.