26 November 1922

The great archaeologist, Howard Carter, had searched for years for a Pharaoh’s tomb that hadn't been robbed. The pyramids were empty; the treasures stolen hundreds of years before. But there was still hope that the caves in the Valley of the Kings might have kept their secrets.

At last he arrived at the entrance to an unbroken burial chamber. He called in the organiser of the expedition, Lord Carnarvon, to witness the final breakthrough. Carter described it as follows:

"With trembling hands I made a tiny hole in the upper left-hand corner. Darkness and an empty space, as far as an iron-testing rod could reach, showed that whatever lay beyond was empty. Widening the hole a little, I put in a candle and peered in. At first I could see nothing. Hot air escaping from the tomb caused the candle to flicker a little. But as my eyes became accustomed to the light, details of the room emerged slowly from the mist; strange animals and gods; everywhere the glint of gold. I was struck dumb with amazement". Lord Carnarvon asked anxiously, "Can you see anything?" It was all I could do to get out the words, "Yes, wonderful things."