4November1922 Forum - Recent Topics

Did Hussein Abdel-Rassoul find King Tut's tomb?

fcaseyjr — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 00:23:13 +0000

Hi:

You might find it interesting to take a look at a recently available book, The Complete Tutankhamun by Nicholas Reeves, published by Thames and Hudson. This work is a new and updated edition of his earlier publication with the same title. You should take a look at it, especially pp. 83, 96-97, and 461, where the author provides some information on the family and individuals you are interested in.

Sincerely,
David Silverman
Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. Curator-in-Charge
Egyptian Collection, Penn Museum

Did Hussein Abdel-Rassoul find King Tut's tomb?

fcaseyjr — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 00:21:05 +0000

Dear Francis,

Thanks for your email.

Yes, I know the family and the restaurant—both are still around, and the restaurant and is a great place have lunch on the west bank in Luxor. It's called the Marsam.

And, yes, Hussein Abd el-Rassul (spellings vary) DID discover the tomb of Tutankhamun—or so the story goes. He was the 'water boy' on the excavation, responsible for setting up the workers' round-bottomed water jar, and as he was digging out the ground to settle the thing he observed a flat stone surface. It proved to be the top of a first step leading down to the blocked tomb entrance. There's a famous picture of the boy wearing one of the spectacular necklaces Carter recovered.

If you are interested in learning more about the tomb and its discovery and potential take a look at my new book, just published in the US: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Tutankhamun-100-Years-Discovery/dp/0500052166/ref=rvi_sccl_1/142-4991346-8859017?pd_rd_w=9k6ph&content-id=amzn1.sym.f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_p=f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_r=B6YJV7B4EBPMXYZ5SWR6&pd_rd_wg=vH1jB&pd_rd_r=37fe672a-3f3a-46f2-b6d2-de8dc84c634a&pd_rd_i=0500052166&psc=1

Good wishes,
Nicholas Reeves

Did Hussein Abdel-Rassoul find King Tut's tomb?

fcaseyjr — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 00:18:46 +0000

Dear Fran

Thank you for your email.

The identification of Hussein Abdel Rassul as having been involved in the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb rests on a number of pieces of evidence.

Carter recorded in his excavation diary for 4 November 1922 the fact that the first step (leading to the tomb) had already been found when he arrived on site that morning.

On a speaking tour of the US in the 1924, Carter reportedly told his US agent that it was a water-boy who had discovered the first step.

Members of Hussein Abdel Rassul’s family were employed by the Carter excavation, and Hussein himself claimed to have worked as a water-boy.

Hussein claimed to be the boy photographed by Harry Burton wearing the collar and pectoral with lapis lazuli scarabs – one of the most precious items of jewellery from Tutankhamun’s tomb.

What is clear is that (an) Egyptian worker(s) on the Carter excavation discovered the first step leading to the tomb. We only have Hussein Abdel Rassul’s word that he played a key role.

Yours sincerely

Toby Wilkinson