TAA i.2.3.51

Nov. 2^nd

Found that the heat of the sun was of no avail in freeing
the mummy from its Coffin. In consequence, the Examination
of the Royal Mummy must necessarily take place as it lies.

Cleaned the greater part of the thick coating upon the
third Coffin.

Nov. 3^rd

No work in the Valley. Spent the day upon various reports,
etc.

4^th

While Burton was occupied in taking further records
of the Royal Mummy lying in its Coffin, and Lucas
upon cleaning the lid of the third Coffin, I raised the
shell of the first Coffin from <which still> out of the Sarcophagus.

This was done by means of pulleys attached to the over-
head scaffolding and to metal eyelets fixed into the
thickness of the upper edges of the Coffin. It was then
raised sufficiently high above the Sarcophagus to enable
us to pass a wooden tray under it, upon which
it was lowered, and then lifted out into the Antechamber.
It proves to be a great weight, and has suffered
considerably from humidity in past ages causing the
gold work upon gesso to bulge and become completely
detached from the basic wood. Fortunately it can be repaired
and made good by careful filling in the interstices
with hot paraffin wax.

There remains now but one object to be removed
from the Sarcophagus, and that is the golden bier -