Library Displays Replicas From Tut’s Tomb

Irving—The South Irving Library is displaying replicas of artifacts discovered in the tomb of the Egyptian Pharaoh King Tutankhamun. The exhibit honors the 100^th anniversary of the discovery of the Pharaoh’s tomb in 1922.

Retired Egyptology professor Rollin Phipps gave a lecture on Saturday, Feb. 19, about the history King Tut and the discovery of his tomb.

“I developed an interest in [ancient Egypt and King Tut] when I went to the [King Tut] exhibit in 1977,” Phipps said. “I thought it was all remarkable. I went and changed my entire career at the time and decided to go back to graduate school and learn. Within three years, I was teaching Egyptology.

“We talked about basically the birth and the life of young boy King Tut, and then we discussed all of the ideas of how they found the tomb in 1922. Howard Carter was the archeologist, and the financier was a guy by the name of Lord Carnarvon. We also have different replicas especially jewelry items, and we also have replicas of the tools, and also thrones King Tut used. But more importantly we have photographs.”

Tutankhamun only lived to the age of either 18 or 19.

“[King Tut] is an important topic, because his tomb was basically found almost intact from the time he was buried, and that means 5,300 different objects, such as statutes, food, and all kinds of different things were found in that particular tomb,” Phipps said. “That created a big interest in Egyptology in the 1920s and 30’s.”

Maureen Zielke from West Fork Village drove senior residents to the library, so they could hear the lecture.

“I didn’t know a whole lot about King Tut at all,” Zielke said. “I learned a lot. I really loved the presenter too; he was a lot of fun. I think [the seniors] all have an interest in history.”

Rasheed Khaleel attended the lecture with some of his family members. He and his family are friends with Phipps.

“I liked hearing about some of the personal experiences that Rollins shared with us plus some of the newer developments from this century,” Khaleel said.

Gail Fields is a retired teacher.

“I enjoyed the lecture very much, because I study the history of the Egyptians and Blacks in general,” Fields said. “It was very informative. Egypt is part of Africa, and a lot of people don’t realize that.”