Howard Carter

Howard Carter
Chicago Daily News, Inc., photographer · Public domain · source
Name	Howard Carter
Birth date	May 9, 1874
Birth place	London, England
Death date	March 2, 1939
Death place	London, England
Nationality	British
Occupation	Archaeologist, Egyptologist

Howard Carter was a renowned British archaeologist and Egyptologist who is best known for his discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt's Valley of the Kings. Carter's discovery was a major archaeological find, and it sparked a global interest in Ancient Egyptian history and culture, with institutions like the British Museum and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo playing a significant role in the excavation and preservation of the tomb. Carter's work was also influenced by other notable archaeologists and Egyptologists, including Flinders Petrie and Gaston Maspero, who had previously worked in Egypt and Sudan. The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb also led to a greater understanding of Ancient Egyptian funerary practices and the role of pharaohs like Ramses II and Hatshepsut in Ancient Egyptian society.

● Early Life and Education

Carter was born in London, England, to Samuel Carter and Martha Joyce Sands, and he developed an interest in art and archaeology at a young age, influenced by his father, who was a artist and a teacher at the British Museum. Carter's early education took place at the Swinford National School in Swinford, Berkshire, and he later moved to London to pursue a career in art and archaeology, where he was influenced by notable artists and archaeologists like Lawrence Alma-Tadema and Percy Newberry. Carter's interest in Egyptology was also sparked by the work of Auguste Mariette, who had discovered the Serapeum in Saqqara, and Heinrich Brugsch, who had worked on the decipherment of hieroglyphs.

● Career

Carter began his career in archaeology in Egypt in 1891, where he worked with Flinders Petrie at the site of Amarna, and later with Percy Newberry at the site of Beni Hasan. Carter's early work in Egypt was focused on the excavation and documentation of tombs and temples, including the temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri, and the tomb of Thutmose III in the Valley of the Kings. Carter's work was also influenced by other notable archaeologists and Egyptologists, including Gaston Maspero, who was the director of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, and James Breasted, who was a prominent American Egyptologist.

● Discovery of Tutankhamun's Tomb

In 1917, Carter was hired by George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, to search for the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings. Carter's search was focused on a site in the Valley of the Kings that was believed to be the location of Tutankhamun's tomb, and on November 4, 1922, Carter discovered a step leading to the tomb, which was later found to be the tomb of Tutankhamun. The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb was a major archaeological find, and it sparked a global interest in Ancient Egyptian history and culture, with institutions like the British Museum and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo playing a significant role in the excavation and preservation of the tomb. The discovery also led to a greater understanding of Ancient Egyptian funerary practices and the role of pharaohs like Ramses II and Hatshepsut in Ancient Egyptian society.

● Excavation and Conservation

The excavation of Tutankhamun's tomb was a complex and challenging process, and Carter worked closely with other archaeologists and conservators, including Arthur Mace and Alfred Lucas, to document and preserve the tomb and its contents. The excavation was also supported by institutions like the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and the British Museum in London, which provided funding and expertise for the project. The conservation of the tomb and its contents was also a major challenge, and Carter worked with other conservators to develop new techniques for preserving Ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the use of chemicals and climate control to prevent deterioration.

● Personal Life and Legacy

Carter's personal life was marked by his dedication to his work, and he never married or had children. Carter's legacy is that of a pioneering archaeologist and Egyptologist who made significant contributions to our understanding of Ancient Egyptian history and culture. Carter's work was also recognized by institutions like the Royal Geographical Society and the Society of Antiquaries of London, which awarded him the Founder's Medal and the Gold Medal for his contributions to archaeology and Egyptology. Carter's legacy continues to be felt today, with institutions like the British Museum and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo continuing to study and preserve Ancient Egyptian artifacts and sites.

● Later Life and Death

Carter died on March 2, 1939, in London, England, at the age of 64, and was buried in Putney Vale Cemetery. Carter's death marked the end of an era in Egyptology, and he was remembered by his colleagues and friends as a dedicated and pioneering archaeologist and Egyptologist. Carter's legacy continues to be felt today, with institutions like the British Museum and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo continuing to study and preserve Ancient Egyptian artifacts and sites, and with the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb remaining one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century, influencing the work of archaeologists and Egyptologists like Zahi Hawass and Salima Ikram. Category:Archaeologists