Unbroken Seal

© Griffith Institute. Image credit: Griffith Institute, University of Oxford

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This image is one of Harry Burton's best-known photographs recording the excavation of Tutankhamun's tomb. Taken on 3rd January 1924, it shows the intact seal and cord fastening attached to the handles of the third burial shrine that formed part of the burial equipment protecting the king's body. There was ample evidence that the tomb had been entered several times and robbed in antiquity, and necropolis officials resealed the burial after discovering the incursions. Howard Carter was undoubtedly relieved at the sight of the shrine's seal, indicating that Tutankhamun's wrapped body lay untouched. The colourised version, created from a scan made from the original Burton glass plate negative, was produced by Composite Films in 2020.

Griffith Institute, University of Oxford

Oxford

Title

Unbroken Seal

Date

1924 & 2020

Medium

digital scan

Accession number

Burton p0631 colour

Acquisition method

original glass plate negative, gift, 1946; digital scan, commissioned and presented to the Griffith Institute, 2020

Work type

Digital art

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Griffith Institute, University of Oxford

Sackler Library, 1 St John Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 2LG England

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