Operation AXIOM

Ninety-one years ago to the day, 26 November 1922, the archæologist Howard Carter (1874-1939) & his patron, Lord Carnarvon (1866-1923), first breached KV62, the jaw-dropping & nearly unspoiled tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun (c. 1341-1323), A.K.A. "King Tut" or "the Boy King." The tomb is undoubtedly the most spectacular find in Egypt's Valley of the King & sparked a renewed interest in Egyptology. Exhibitions of the treasures & artifacts from Tutankhamun's tomb continue to the tour the world right down to the present day, & continue to draw crowds in their multitudes. The "curse of the pharaohs" is pure hokum, but originated with the opening of King Tut's tomb & endures in our popular culture. The astonishing tomb of the eighteenth dynasty pharaoh Tutankhamun was rediscovered by Howard Cater & Lord Carnarvon, after being buried in the sand for over three thousand years, ninety-one years ago to-day.

Carnarvon: "Can you see anything?"
Carter: "Yes, wonderful things."



The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Steve Martin & the Toot Uncommons, "King Tut" (live) via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: "King Tut" was also the R.B.D.S.O.T.D. a scant ten days ago. I have no issue with the same song being chosen as the R.B.D.S.O.T.D. multiple times, but less than a fortnight is too close for comfort. What I suspect happened is that I was alerted to the approaching anniversary of the opening of KV62, which brought "King Tut" to mind. To-day, I considered using the other version of "King Tut" in my library, performed by Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers, but it just isn't the same as the original, performed by Martin & the "Toot Uncommons" (otherwise known as the Nitty Gritty Band). There is simply no other song for the anniversary of the discovery of King Tut's tomb than "King Tut."

"He gave his life—for tourism."