National Geographic History - USA (2022-03 & 2022-04)

Tutankhamun’s tomb had

made Reisner realize the

power of public relations.

His decision to reseal the

intact tomb (officially la-

beled G7000X) was based

on several factors, includ-

ing his belief that he was

the only person sufficiently

competent to undertake the

full excavation.

By delaying the dig un-

til he could travel to Egypt,

Reisner could also control

the narrative. Media rela-

tions were a key part of that

process. Leaks from Reis-

ner’s own team—who let

a U.S. news photographer

snap them—led to revela-

tions in the London press

of a major new find. Specu-

lation swirled that the tomb

was that of 4th-dynasty

pharaoh Snefru. From Bos-

ton, Reisner countered by

asserting his belief that it

belonged to a royal woman.

Reisner’s duties in the

U.S. delayed the reopening

of Tomb G7000X until Jan-

uary 1926. On finally enter-

ing the chamber containing

the sarcophagus, Reisner

discovered that the gold-

cased furniture inside was

section of the huge site was

awarded to Reisner.

Reisner was working in

the new era of 20th-century

technology: He could use

the telegraph to send trans-

atlantic communiques with

his team.

But he was

modern in

another way

too: Car-

ter’s stun-

ning find of

DISCOVERIES

GOLD FALCON, TOMB OF HETEPHERES.

EGYPTIAN MUSEUM, CAIRO

SCALA, FLORENCE

Egypt and Sudan). In 1902

French Egyptologist Gaston

Maspero divided out the

Giza plateau among the best

excavators of the time, in a

bid to prevent looting and

deterioration. The central

ALAMY/ACI

KHUFU’S Great

Pyramid looms

over three smaller

pyramids. The tomb of

Hetepheres (G7000X)

was discovered near

G1a, the small, partially

collapsed pyramid.