Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered by a water boy who serendipitously stumbled on a buried staircase in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings on 4th November, 1922. It marked the greatest triumph in archaeologist Howard Carter’s career, and unearthed dozens of priceless treasures.

The loot included the famous golden death-mask - but also the Pharaoh's walking sticks, linen underwear, and uneaten chickpeas.

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how the discovery kickstarted a Western interest in Egpytology that influenced fashion, design and art, and lead directly to Indiana Jones; ask whether Carter was a historian or a grave-robber; and dig into the so-called ‘Mummy’s Curse’... 

Further Reading:

• ‘Discovering King Tutankhamun's tomb: Harry Burton's photographs’ (BBC News, 2018): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44636774

• ‘The History Of A Cursed Ancient Egyptian Tomb’ (Channel 5, 2020): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxot6xmDymQ

• ‘Howard Carter - King Tut, Death & Family’ (Biography, 2020): https://www.biography.com/scientist/howard-carter

This episode first aired in 2021

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The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.

Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart

Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2025.

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