Howard Carter: A Who2 Profile: "HOWARD CARTER • Archaeologist
Carter discovered and excavated the tomb of Egyptian pharaoh King Tutankhamen. Carter got his start as an artist, tracing Egyptian hieroglyphics for others, before becoming an archaeologist himself. His search for the tomb of King Tut took nearly a decade, including a lengthy interruption during World War I, and was supported financially by George Herbert, the earl of Carnarvon. Carter discovered the tomb of Tut on 4 November 1922 and opened the tomb after Lord Carnarvon's arrival at the site on the 26th of November. Ironically, Tutankhamen had been practically unknown before the discovery, but news coverage of Carter's amazing find made 'King Tut' a household name.
Extra credit: Lord Carnarvon died of pneumonia in 1923, reinforcing the legend of a curse placed on those who had disturbed Tut's tomb. However, Carter himself lived to the age of 64 before dying a natural death in England.
Other archaeological figures on Who2 include Thor Heyerdahl, Kennewick Man, the Oetzi Iceman and Indiana Jones.
Four Good Links Vital Stats
Tour Egypt: Howard Carter
Excellent recap of his life and work, with links to related figures
Anatomy of an Excavation
Scholarly site with Carter's records, a Carter bio, and more
Howard Carter and the Curse of the Mummy
Skeptical analysis of Tut's alleged curse
King Tut's Tomb Found!
About.com's history of Carter's search, with good links
Birth:
9 May 1874
Birthplace:
London, England
Death:
2 March 1939
Best Known As:
Discoverer of King Tut's tomb"
