History Daily: "Discovering Tutankhamun"
Date: November 4, 2021
Host: Lindsay Graham
Producers: Noiser, Airship, Wondery
Episode Overview
This episode of History Daily immerses listeners in the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt's Valley of the Kings on November 4, 1922. Host Lindsay Graham narrates the dramatic sequence of events leading to the tomb’s unearthing, the feverish excitement and pressures surrounding the archaeological dig, the myth and reality behind the so-called "curse of Tutankhamun,” and the historical context of the young pharaoh’s life, reign, and legacy. The episode explores the interplay of history, archaeology, and celebrity that turned an ancient king into a modern cultural phenomenon.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The High-Stakes Dig in the Valley of the Kings
- Setting the Scene (00:00–03:00)
- It's November 4, 1922; the Valley of the Kings is an unforgiving, sun-scorched desert, believed to be tapped out after centuries of excavation.
- British archaeologist Howard Carter is under immense pressure; financier Lord Carnarvon is threatening to pull funding after years of fruitless searching.
- Unexpected Discovery by a Water Boy (03:00–04:30)
- Hussein Abdul Rasool, a 12-year-old Egyptian water boy, inadvertently discovers a stone step while delivering water. Carter quickly realizes the significance.
2. The Opening of the Tomb
- First Glimpse (04:30–07:00)
- Carter unearths a sealed staircase and a door displaying the cartouche of Tutankhamun.
- Carter insists on waiting for Lord Carnarvon to arrive before opening the tomb.
- Upon arrival, Carnarvon, his daughter Evelyn, and Carter enter the tomb under lamplight.
- Notable Quote [07:00]:
Carnarvon asks: “Can you see anything?”
Carter replies: “Yes, wonderful things.”
- Unveiling the Treasure (07:00–08:30)
- The tomb reveals thousands of ornate objects: golden beds, statues, chariots, shrines, boxes, and the iconic alabaster cup.
- The magnitude and preservation of the tomb’s contents are unprecedented.
3. The “Curse” and Lord Carnarvon’s Death
- Sensationalism and Superstition (08:30–10:00)
- Within months, Lord Carnarvon dies from an infected mosquito bite, fueling rumors of a pharaoh’s curse.
- Notable Quote [09:30]:
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle claims, “It is neither decent nor safe to take from their resting places the bodies of old kings. The Egyptians knew much more about the occult than we do today.”
- Tabloid Reaction
- Media frenzy follows, but work continues thanks to the new financial support of Carnarvon’s widow.
4. Penetrating the Inner Chambers
- Years of Meticulous Work (10:00–13:30)
- Over three years, Carter's team clears the outer chambers before reaching the pharaoh’s sealed burial chamber in October 1925.
- Dismantling the golden shrine walls, they finally access the stone sarcophagus, containing a series of nested coffins.
- The innermost coffin, made of solid gold, holds Tutankhamun’s iconic mummy and death mask.
5. Piecing Together Tutankhamun’s History
- Historical Context (13:30–19:00)
- Tutankhamun reigned from 1333–1323 BCE, ascending to the throne at 8 or 9 during a period of turmoil.
- He followed the controversial reign of Akhenaten (likely his father), who forced Egypt into monotheistic worship of Aten, the Sun Disk.
- Akhenaten’s radical changes include building a new city—Akhetaten—using forced child labor.
- Tutankhamun restored the old polytheistic religion and centers of power, reversing his predecessor’s policies.
6. The Life and Physique of the Boy King
- Physical Discoveries and Mysteries (19:00–21:30)
- Carter notes Tutankhamun’s clubfoot and the presence of over 100 canes in his tomb, suggesting frailty.
- Contradictorily, the tomb also contains weapons and scenes depicting the pharaoh as a warrior.
- Death and Aftermath
- Tutankhamun likely died young (around 18), possibly due to infection or malaria, with no heirs, ending the 18th dynasty.
- His burial was hurried; items such as the death mask were repurposed from others, notably Queen Nefertiti.
7. Immortalization, Fame, and Modern Impact
- From Obscurity to Global Icon (21:30–End)
- The discovery launches “Tutmania,” with Carter achieving celebrity status, going on speaking tours, and writing about the find.
- Tutankhamun becomes the world’s most famous pharaoh, his afterlife defined more by discovery than rule.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Discovery Reaction
“Can you see anything?”
“Yes, wonderful things.” — Dialogue between Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter, [07:00] -
Reflection on Remembrance
“It is sometimes said that every person dies twice, when they cease to breathe and when the last person who remembers them dies.” — Lindsay Graham, [04:30]
-
On the Curse
“The Egyptians knew much more about the occult than we do today. This must have been a peculiar element of an Egyptian curse.” — Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (quoted), [09:30]
Important Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|--------------------------------------------------| | 00:00–03:00 | Valley of the Kings, background & stakes | | 03:00–04:30 | Water boy discovers the step | | 04:30–07:00 | Staircase exposed, sealed tomb, Carter waits | | 07:00–08:30 | First entry, Carter’s famous quote, initial find | | 08:30–10:00 | Lord Carnarvon’s death, “curse” rumors | | 10:00–13:30 | Years of excavation, entry into burial chamber | | 13:30–19:00 | Tutankhamun’s reign, historical context | | 19:00–21:30 | His physical condition, death, hurried burial | | 21:30–End | The aftermath, Carter’s fame, Tutmania |
Language and Tone
Lindsay Graham’s narration is vivid and cinematic, blending suspenseful storytelling with historical detail. He evokes ambiance—the dusty Egyptian heat, the tense anticipation at the tomb’s door—with rich, descriptive language. Quotations—especially the famous “wonderful things”—are woven seamlessly into the story, adding authenticity and emotion.
Conclusion
This History Daily episode richly chronicles the legendary unearthing of King Tutankhamun’s tomb—a tale of ambition, luck, historical intrigue, superstition, and enduring fascination. The episode not only recounts the adventure of discovery but also traces the causes and impact of Tutankhamun’s posthumous celebrity, showing how history can suddenly and spectacularly surface from the sands of time.