TAA iv.01.04

tabernacles there were two wonderful alabasters, one in the 

form of a cat or lioncub^sic. Passing along, you came on the 

right to a low open doorway, and looking into this you saw 

facing you against the far wall, the most impressive monument 

I’ve ever seen – a huge wooden shrine covered with gold to 

contain the canopic jars, and full standing guarding it one 

on each side there were four goddesses, the most lovely female 

figures, absolutely natxxx[?]/<ural> and lifelike in their poise one

with back turned and two looking sideways over their shoulders. 

For modelling I really think they beat anything I have ever 

seen from any country. For the rest,,^sic the chamber was full, 

boxes mostly. One we looked into and it contained a most 

lovelly^sic gold and ostrich feather fan, apparently in perfect 

condition. There were also a number of boats, two more 

chariots and a number of other things. My mind was too confused 

and excited to take them in. The whole thing was really almost 

painfully impressive. With one exception of the hurried 

visit of the thieves some ten years after the King’s death, 

none had set foot in the chamber since the King was laid to 

rest more than three thousand years before. One didn’t dare 

let one’s imagination get too vividly to work. The figures 

of the goddesses alone were so beax[?]/<t>iful^sic that they made a lump 

come in ones^sic throat. It was a quarter past two when we went 

down into the tomb, and it was after five when i/<w>e came out, 

and I think we were all fairly dazed, too dazed even to realise 

what we had found. Now it is all buried deep underground