Digitisation & Online Access
The Tutankhamun Spatial Archive builds on the Griffith Institute’s long-standing commitment to preserving and sharing the complete archaeological record of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Drawing on decades of digitisation work, the project transforms thousands of documents, many never before published online, into a single interlinked database that allows users to explore the tomb and its contents in entirely new ways.
The Beta Launch
This beta launch, marking the centenary of the 1925 unwrapping of Tutankhamun’s mummified body, presents only the records relating to this historic event. All material currently shown is confined to the king’s body, which was unwrapped between 11 and 19 November 1925. Additional records from the rest of the Burial Chamber and other rooms of the tomb will be added over the coming months as the project continues.
Building the Spatial Archive
Developed in collaboration between the Griffith Institute and Agile Collective, and made possible through the generous support of the John Fell Fund, this phase marks the first step in transforming the Tutankhamun Archive into a spatial and searchable digital environment. The spatial element currently plots all documentation within the individual rooms of the tomb, showing how records and artefacts relate to one another in their original archaeological context.
The next stage of development will include a fully interactive 3D model of the tomb, allowing users to move between the documentary record and a virtual reconstruction of the burial as it appeared when first uncovered by Howard Carter and his team. While the 3D environment is not yet complete, the new system already includes embedded model viewers, laying the technical groundwork for future integration.
Technical Innovation
Behind the scenes, the project represents a major technical achievement. Because the original records existed only as scanned images and transcriptions, with no structured metadata, each entry has been built from scratch. This has involved creating consistent metadata for every record, establishing cross-links between related items (such as photographs, object cards, and journal entries), and ensuring interoperability with other Griffith Institute and partner resources.
A new search system has been developed to support flexible and inclusive access. It allows for “wonky” word searches and recognises synonyms, meaning users can locate material even when spelling or terminology varies across documents. These features have been among the most time-consuming aspects of development, but ensure that researchers and the public can navigate the archive intuitively and accurately.
Access and Learning
The platform follows an open-access model, ensuring that all digitised material is freely available for research, teaching, and public engagement. Alongside the main archive, the site introduces a new Schools section, which offers a virtual learning experience designed to engage students with the story of Tutankhamun’s tomb and the wider history of archaeology.
Together, these developments continue the Griffith Institute’s mission to preserve, publish, and share the full Tutankhamun excavation record. The Tutankhamun Spatial Archive not only safeguards this unique heritage but reimagines how archaeological archives can be explored, linking past and present through innovative digital technology.