Science: Last Relics

Through the light-splotched, angular passages of TutankhAmen's 3,300-year-old tomb at Luxor, Egypt, went Howard Carter and his troupe of delvers to make their ultimate uncovering in the burial chamber of the king, so gorgeously gilded after his youthful death. A great box of translucent alabaster had not been opened.

It sat on a great sledge. The sledge was covered with a pall of silver; it had silver handles. The silver gleamed dully. Above, on the alabaster casket shone much gold— a dado, four seals and hasps. Explorer Carter's men inched up the...

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