Sheikh Hussein Abdel-Rassoul holds a framed photo of himself as a young boy wearing the ornate necklace from King Tut’s tomb. The photo of him as a boy was taken by photographer Harry Burton. © Francis T. Casey, Jr.
July 1989
We went to a restaurant across the Nile from Luxor in Gurna for breakfast. After breakfast Sheikh Hussein Abdel-Rassoul invited us for tea and told us about Howard Carter, Lord Carnarvon, King Tut’s tomb, King Tut’s necklace, and more. I recorded our conversation on a cassette tape recorder.
Now available to the public for the first time you can listen to the recently uncovered audio recordings of my conversation with the boy who found the first step leading to King Tut’s tomb!
Harry Buton’s photograph of the Hussein Abdel-Rassoul provided the waterboy with a source of income for the rest of his life. He posed with the photograph near Tutankhamen’s tomb, explaining to visitors that it was he who discovered the site.
After Hussein died, his son took his place in the valley. He stood with the framed photograph and continued to tell his father’s story.
For many years only Westerners earned the credit for the archeological discoveries in Egypt. For information exploring the current state of the field of Egyptology as practiced by Egyptians, showcasing its achievements, addressing its challenges, and identifying ways to enhance the field, please visit https://egyptianegyptology.org/
I would like to continue to tell the story here with this website. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the audio recordings will provide Hussein Abdel-Rassoul’s descendants with a source of income as well.
Recently uncovered rare audio recordings of Hussein Abdel-Rassoul now available to the public for the first time!
Hussein invites us to a cup of tea.
This track contains audio from Sheikh Hussein Abdel-Rassoul.
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The cost of breakfast at the
restaurant was more costly than
other establishments. He tells us
how things are more expensive
these days.
This track contains audio from Hussein Abdel-Rassoul.
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Hussein asks us where we are
staying in Luxor.
This track contains audio from Hussein Abdel-Rassoul.
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Fran and John settling their debts.
Hussien offers us a cigarette and
sugar for our tea.
This track contains audio from Hussein Abdel-Rassoul.
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We ask Hussein which Nobles
tombs he recommends for us to
see.
This track contains audio from Hussein Abdel-Rassoul.
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Discussing the Tombs of the Nobles.
This track contains audio from Hussein Abdel-Rassoul.
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Hussein Abdel-Rassoul asks us if we
have visited the Valley of the Kings.
This track contains audio from Hussein Abdel-Rassoul.
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John asks if he has many visitors in
the summertime.
This track contains audio from Hussein Abdel-Rassoul.
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Fran ask Hussein Abdel-Rassoul is
he saw the inside of King Tuts tomb.
This track contains audio from Hussein Abdel-Rassoul.
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Fran asked about the book with the
photographs.
This track contains audio from Hussein Abdel-Rassoul.
Notice: Due to the age of the recording and the background noise the audio is best listened to using headphones.
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