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King Tutankhamun event to be held by family of British archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter for Hospice in the Weald

A special event showcasing the discovery of a 3,300-year-old Egyptian Pharaoh is set to lend a helping hand to a hospice.

King Tutankhamun reigned for only 10 years, dying at the age of 19 in 1323BC.

James Lovegrove with a picture of the King's death mask behind him
James Lovegrove with a picture of the King's death mask behind him

In the 3,000 years in which the pharaohs ruled over Egypt, his reign would probably have been among the most insignificant and have been overlooked by history, if it hadn't been for British archaeologist Howard Carter.

In 1922 Carter discovered King Tut's tomb intact – nearly all the other pyramids had been plundered by grave-robbers centuries before.

Carter's painstaking work unveiled a rich hoard of treasures that gives us today our most complete insight into the life of the ancient Egyptians.

Jump forward more than a hundred years to the present day and Carter's great nephew Bruce Lovegrove spent his last days in the care of the Hospice In The Weald in Pembury.

In appreciation of the care that the hospice gave his father, Mr Lovegrove's son James has organised an exhibition entitled "Tutankhamun: Excavating the Archive" featuring some of Howard Carter’s fascinating personal records of his discovery and a talk by Oxford University's renowned Egyptologist Dr Daniela Rosenow,

The Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun 100 years ago on November 4. Picture: Sarah Bosley
The Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun 100 years ago on November 4. Picture: Sarah Bosley

The mysterious "curse" of the tomb will be among the subjects covered.

The event will be held at The Oast Theatre in Tonbridge on Tuesday, March 7, in conjunction with the Hildenborough Village Friends of Hospice in the Weald.

Dr Rosenow said: “I’m excited to share this overview of the discovery, including Howard Carter’s maps, personal diaries, archaeological journals, conservation logbooks, personal letters, glass plate negatives and slides.

"They represent a truly astonishing corpus of archaeological records, allowing us a unique insight into the archaeological process and the work of the team, as it happened, on an almost day-by-day basis.”

James Lovegrove, who grew up in Hildenborough, will also speaking at the event.

He said: “Howard Carter and the story of Tutankhamun is a family story that has been passed down the generations.

"As children, stories of the excavation of the tomb were constantly told to us and we were surrounded by the history of Howard Carter’s discovery.”

Daniela Rosenow will be the guest speaker
Daniela Rosenow will be the guest speaker

Sharing why the family wanted to organise the event, Mr Lovegrove added: "The care that Hospice in the Weald provided during my father’s last days meant the world to us.

"They gave him dignity and enabled us to enjoy precious moments with him that we will always cherish.

“Howard Carter’s legacy was always so important to our father and, as a family, we felt it fitting to organise this on the centenary of the discovery, to thank the staff at the Hospice, and raise much-needed funds to enable others to experience the care that he did.”

Doors open at 6.30pm and the presentation is at 7pm. Tickets are £25 and can be obtained by calling 01892 820533.

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