TAA iv.2 (1st Season)

Between late December and mid-May, the team continued the cataloguing and conservation of the objects. On 21 December, the first box (No. 21) was moved out for treatment, followed by box 50. Through early January, detailed notes were made on garments, beadwork, and damaged artifacts, while discussions arose about the tomb’s disorder—likely the result of ancient looting hastily rectified by priests. Work continued on boxes 21 and 54, revealing bead collars, sandals, gold spangles, and a tapestry-woven robe bearing Tutankhamun’s name, suggesting that several garments belonged to the king as a child.
By late January and early February, the team handled larger items, including gilded beds, thrones, and the corselet from box 54, examined by visiting dignitaries such as Sir William Garstin, Sir John and Lady Maxwell, and the Queen of the Belgians. The newly opened chamber drew crowds of Egyptologists and press visitors, including Breasted, Gardiner, Carnarvon, and Lady Evelyn. In February, the tomb was formally opened, photographed, and later closed for a brief rest.
March brought the discovery of gold rings, robes, and sceptres in box 44, as well as a black shrine containing a nome standard. The sudden death of Lord Carnarvon on 5 April cast a shadow over the work, but documentation continued. Subsequent boxes yielded gloves, bandages, archery equipment, and medical items, confirming the tomb’s mixture of ritual and personal possessions.
Throughout April, attention turned to sticks, bows, shrines, and chariot parts, some inscribed with the Aten cartouche. By early May, the team completed packing roughly 90 cases, compiled inventories, and prepared negatives. On 14 May, they met in Luxor, consulted with Carter, and returned to Cairo, marking the close of the season’s meticulous operations.