TAA i.3.9.15

                                   –           11            –    

The floor of the annexe is 3 ft. below the level of the ante-

chamber, and as there is not an inch of floor space on which to

stand it is suggested that x[?]/<t>hen the clearing is started, it will

be necessary to remove the first objects by standing on planks

projecting into the annexe from the floor of the anti/<e>chamber. Mr.

Carter says it contains many splendid things<;>- another painted

box as fine as that in the anti/<e>chamber, a magnificent chair of

ivory, goc/<l>d wood and leatherwork, beautiful vases in alabaster

and faience, and gaming board in carved and coloured ivory, and

m/<i>nnumerable other objects.

          From the appalling and chaotic condition of the annexe

which I mentioned just now, we can picture the condition of the

anti/<e>chamber when the robbers left it. There is plenty of evidence

that they left the place in a state of i/<u>tter confusion. The thieves

worked hurriedly and with little respect for anything in the tomb

that was not gold and easily portable. Hence they ransacked every-

box, tore off any golden ornaments from articles otherwise in-

trinsically valueless, broke open a golden shrine and removed what

must have been <a> beautiful little statuette of pure gold. They 

stripped off the <sheet> golden carving from around the thrones and com-

mitted various other acts of vandalism, compared with which the

alleged kleptomaniac tendencies of “Little Willie” during the war

were mere trifles.

          When the anti/<e>chamber was discovered last year, however,

all the objects were piled up around the sides, leaving clear floor

space in the centre. It can hardly be said that the officials

responsible for clearing the tomb and resealing it after the

robbery, did their work very well. They showed very little respect

either for the dead king himsee/<ll>f^sic or for his property. Their only