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Al-Ahram Weekly 8 - 14 April 1999 Issue No. 424 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 8 - 14 April 1999 Issue No. 424
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Profile Features Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Travel web
By Rehab Saad
The day of discoveryIf you want to relive the moment of the discovery of the tomb of the boy-king Tutankhamun and mesh into the very atmosphere of the event, then this is a highly recommended site where history, entertainment and fun are mixed.
It is an interactive edition of the National Geographic magazine, issue No 4, which was published immediately after the discovery in 1922. If you were not yet born or missed this particular issue written by Maynard Owen Williams, then to visit this site is a must.
As the site opens, the user will see the words National Geographic Classics presents "At the tomb of Tutankhamun" 1923, Luxor, Egypt, on a black page with background music that gives the impression that you are about to see something dramatic, sacred.
The next page has the National Geographic magazine on the right hand side. "There is drama in the very air of the place," says Maynard Owen Williams, "and I want to be there recording it for the Geographic."
Then comes the main page that includes the contents of the site: at the tomb of Tutankhamun, mysteries of Egypt, links and resources, and credits. You must surf them all. Each has its own special flavour.
The tone and layout of the site is suitable to the content. It gives you the impression that you are going back in time. There are no bright colours. The muted brownish tints are like those used in magazines from the turn of the 20th century.
You are taken back in time to the events that took place in Luxor on 23 February, the day of discovery, the official opening, and the celebrities who attended.
"As I passed the tomb of Seti I and turned towards the lower entrance of the valley, I saw below me a small white tent, a wooden shelter for the armed guard, the clutter of lumber which archaeologists use, and the new wall of irregular stones which hid the entrance to Tut's mausoleum," said Williams, describing his first day trip to the site.
He described the discomfort of the reporters gathered from all over the world to cover the event, how they waited under the heat of the sun to hear or see something worth writing about.
"Two corespondents sat there and another roamed about waiting for news. For weeks they had waited under the glare of the sun, compelled by the force of circumstances to be detectives rather than scribes," Williams said.
He also described them as "anxious reporters who had for so long put up a nerve-racking fight to get the news; for they had beaten the diggers themselves in telling the world that the wall into the inner chamber had been pierced the day before and that the hoped-for sarcophagus had been seen."
Williams described the preparations made for the royal visitors to the tomb, and how Egyptian and foreign officials and visitors were welcomed.
All this is accompanied by photos of the event with interesting captions. One shows some dark-skinned children in Qurna eating sugar cane. Another is of a camel carrying a load of ice. The caption goes: "All modern comforts for notables at the tomb". Then Williams explains how this camel bore his rapidly shrinking load across the hot sands. It is amusing to see a sweating camel with a load of ice.
The section that describes the actual tomb should be visited without fail. Williams says "On Monday, the day after the official opening, I entered the tomb with the first small group of corespondents. This is what I saw." Then you click to see what Williams saw, and when you click again, on the photo, up comes a map of the tomb where every part (antechamber, annex, entrance, burial chamber and treasury), has a special number. Click on any number and you will have the details as well as the photos of the place you targeted. It's fascinating.
And if you're interested in the letters sent by reporter Williams to John Oliver La Gorce, the Geographic's associate editor, then you will find a special part where you can read excerpts. These letters reveal the challenges and frustrations of life on assignments.
One is amusing. It says: "It is costing much money here, a thing I regret. But you will get your money's worth. My legs curse you. But my heart says 'Thank you'".
The site provides links to other sites dealing with Ancient Egypt. It's a web site not to be missed.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/egypt/
