1954 Press Photo Inside of tomb belonging to Pharaoh Cheops in Egypt - afa30975
This is an original press photo. Ancient solar boat uncovered--This picture was taken shortly after a 20-ton limestone slab was lifted from ceiling of a chamber of the tomb of Pharaoh Cheops in Egypt today, revealing this solar boat. Well preserved wood of the craft is covered by linen cloth that had rotted away. Boats were entombed with ancient monarchs as best means of transport to immortal life in the sky. This boat is said to be the biggest and oldest yet discovered. 5,000 years into the past. Cairo, Egypt-Chanting Egyptian workers raised a 20-ton limestone slab Tuesday from a crypt in the shadow of the Great Pyramid and gave the first good glimpse of the 5,000-year-old funeral boat of the Pharaoh Cheops. The workers were in a festive mood amid the creaking of pulleys and the rhythmic chanting of "pray for the prophet." Soon the great boat of Lebanon cedar became visible in its narrow chamber to the crowds of diplomats, scholars and journalists who came for the great uncovering. United States Ambassador Jefferson Caffery was among the viewers. The boat's stylistic flower-shaped wooden prow had been removed and laid inside, leading observers to believe the boat originally was about 120 feet long, rather than the length of the 110-foot chamber in which it was entombed. Also visible to those who peered down through the new opening was a perfectly preserved 300-foot coil of rope, possibly for towing the boat on the after-death journey. The deck house apparently had been dismantled to fit the boat into its crypt. There was considerable debris and the boat appeared to have been covered by now-rotting linen. The experts believe all the littered parts on the deck have their place and the whole boat can be reassembled. Those who bent over the opening got a whiff of the ... Archaeology-Egypt crypt. Photo measures 7.5 x 10 inches. Photo is dated 1954.
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Historic Images Part Number: afa30975
