🏺 Tutankhamun

and the Man Who Found Him

This course examines the remarkable story behind one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time — the finding of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.

We’ll look at the man at the centre of the story, Howard Carter — his determined (and sometimes difficult) personality, his partnership with Lord Carnarvon, and the challenges and controversies surrounding his work. Despite his reputation for being obstinate, Carter was already a respected archaeologist before his discovery, having spent years working on Egyptian sites with considerable success.

We’ll explore:

• Carter’s life and career before Tutankhamun

• His working relationship with Lord Carnarvon

• The historical background of early 20th-century archaeology

• The treasures of the tomb and why they survived when others did not

• The media sensation that followed the discovery

• The myths and mysteries surrounding “The Curse of Tutankhamun”

We’ll also consider how Carter’s methods — seen as pioneering in his time — might be judged differently today. Above all, we’ll trace how this single discovery captured the world’s imagination and reshaped our understanding of Ancient Egypt.