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Official Egyptian government correspondence about the excavation of King Tut's tomb. Partial letter is addressed to Egypt's Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Public Works in Cairo, and was likely sent from Pierre Lacau as Director of Antiquities for the Egyptian government, as a letter with identical text exists on the stationery of that office; in addition, this letter is hand-labeled, ''Duplicate''. Dated 3 May 1923, letter concerns the excavation of the tomb after the death of the Earl of Carnarvon, who had supplied the initial funding for the dig. Written in French, letter is headed, ''Excavation of Lord Carnarvon'' and translates in part, ''...I have the honor to submit the general measures that take account of Antiquities Service as regards the Carnarvon grant. These measures have been naturally exposed to the Committee of Egyptology at its meeting of 19 April last and approved by him before you submitted definitely be for approval, as I have had the honor to tell you in our last interview. 1. Grant - The grant on behalf of Lord Carnarvon was personal; So she stopped by the death of the holder. But the desire to continue family in memory of Lord Carnarvon, the work of the tomb itself...those who made the discovery of scientific result thereof. It is necessary for this, that it is they who continue the work and prepare the publication. We can not substitute ourselves to them on this point. But it is agreed that we will renew the grant only to complete the tomb of Tutankhamen same. This limited and exceptional grant is treated as a normal result of the discovery of this year. The rest of the Valley of the Kings, we reserve it completely. (And the Carnarvon family also does not reclaim following the grant for the whole Valley). We do not want, in effect, give grants to individuals, but only to scholarly societies. It was long since agreed to the Committee that the grant of Lord Carnarvon was the latest example of grant given to a man deprived. So we return to our rule. I received Mr. Carter the regular request of the family and was authorized to continue working under the conditions that I have to define and accept. We therefore reiterate to the grave only 1 since the death of Carnarvon until the end of the previous contract, 2. For the next season of excavations. 3 The Transportation Objects - Restoration and packaging items already out and stored the grave n. 15 was able to continue care by the excavators (under our usual control). We expect these days a telegram us warning that everything is ready. We will send a boat in Luxor soldiers police have the necessary guards to ensure effective protection. Here we have prepared interim windows and location''. Single page measures 8.25'' x 13''. With stamping containing the date and name of ''Central Archives / PWM'' and scattered notations. Closed tearing around hole punches at the left edge. Near fine overall.
Typed Letter to Egypt's Secretary of State Regarding King Tut's Tomb -- In the Aftermath of Lord Carnarvon's Death -- ''...The rest of the Valley of the Kings, we reserve it completely...''
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