TAA i.2.1.143

February

4th.

Cleaned the coffin lying in the sarcophagus with warm water

and amonia^sic. It was astonishing what an accummalation^sic of de-

posit from moisture there was upon its surfaces, particu-

larly on the glass inlay, which seemed to be most affected,

even though the great stone lid had been carefully closed

and the cracks cemented. It would suggest that there was

moisture or dampness in the coffin or coffins themselves

when they were deposited in the sarcophagus.

Provisional cleaning though it was, under somewhat diffi-

cult circumstances, it well repaid for the trouble. The

inlay shows up splendidly and one is now able to realize

the beauty of the work, especially the uraeus upon the

forehead which is really a magnificent piece of work.

I examined the shrouds or linen sheets that covered the

coffin. They were two in number, one, a very large one,

had been folded in two, which made us believe last year

when we raised the lid of the sarcophagus that there were

three. The upper o/<a>nd smaller sheet is of close weaving,

while the underneath sheet, folded in two, is of very open

material - after the nature of coarse muslin. The first

sheet bore a linen mark, unfortunately very elegible^sic {illegible} but

appears to be merely the name and title of the King in

blach^sic ink which has eaten away the fabric.

5th.

Burton came over this morning with his camera and took a

series of photographic records of the coffin in situ.

Completed the series of bows and arrows etc. found between

the shrines in the sepulchral-chamber. recorded them, and

they are now ready for final photographing and packing for

c/<C>airo.

Tewfik Eff. paid me a visit this morning.

6th.

Replaced glass on sarcophagus.

Preserved and indexed the seals from the two inner shrines.

The seals and cord were in a/<g>ood condition, but for safty^sic {safety} I

saturated them with celluloid dissolved in amyl acetate.

Commenced treating the cosmetic vase no.211. It was badly

stained by the fatty or oily substance it contained, which

was still soft to a certain degree. Unfortunately it has

eaten the arragonite^sic {aragonite} in places, but by careful soaking in

benzine I hope to get it in fair good order.

It is a very interesting and good pir/<e>ce of workmanship.

7th.

Completed the arragonite^sic {aragonite} cosmetic jar no.211. I found

that after removing as much of the stains as possible

it was better to paraffin wax it. Now that it is

cleaned it shows up admirably and is a[n] exquisite example

of design. Especially the heads of the captives upon

which it stands - two negroes and two northerners of med-

itterranean^sic {Mediterranean} type.

Dr Munthe paid us a visit and lunch[ed] with us in the Valley.

Commenced ez/<x>perimenting on the large calcite vase 210, with

Cari/<y>atid {caryatid} figures - Nile gods HAPI. The problem here is

how best to dissolve the content which has caused the fral/<i>l

neck to burst in many pieces.

8th.

Commenced clw/<e>aning the large alabaster vase np/<o>.210.

Went into Luxor.