The G.E.M.
The G.E.M.
One hundred and three years ago, Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter were working to clear an unremarkable rubble filled sloping corridor in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Above them a flight of twenty-two steps was now perfectly unobstructed and led back to the sunlit dusty valley.
The eighteenth dynasty Egyptian pharaohs created magnificent tombs within a natural pyramid shaped hill on the western bank of the Nile. With decorated ceilings, wall paintings, extraordinary long corridors and antechambers leading to their final resting places, even today they are still utterly wondrous.
Sadly though, given they had been enormously wealthy and magnificent kings, their treasures and grave goods had long been lost to successive looters and explorers over several thousand years, often from soon after their burials despite the best efforts to obscure and conceal the tomb entrances as well proclaim curses to any who entered.
However, Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter believed that one tomb had not been found – that of Tutankhamun – a minor Pharaoh forgotten in history and whose legacy had been literally submerged under the later Rameses dynasties. The few broken fragments of faience cups, jars with hastily filled linens, were thought by eminent archaeologists to be all that remained of his tomb, but Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter believed that such remnants pointed to the existence of the Pharaoh and his tomb....
By this point in his archeological career, Lord Carnarvon estimated he had cleared up to 60,000 tonnes of rubble from the valley floor but this time, within just a short span of starting work, one of their team, a young local Egyptian, Hassan Abderasoul, hit his shovel on a stone cut step.
Lord Carnarvon had experienced many false leads over the course of the last sixteen years of his excavation work in Egypt but had continued every year in the hope that this year would be different. Tired from his battles with his health and continually worried about money, 1922 was to be his last year but here he was now, standing in an ancient corridor.
The first wall at the very top did have the seals of Tutankhamun on the lower part of it but they could also see that some earlier explorers had been there and left a small access route through the rubble in the tunnel, so hopes were mixed with realism.
Perhaps a later sudden storm had covered the entrance route with rocks and debris and it had then been forgotten and of course the entrance was very close to the impressive tombs of the great Ramesses. However, as the world now knows, the story unfolded into one of the most inspiring and incredible discoveries of all time. A lost world, a forgotten young king, treasures beyond imagination.. and in the end Lord Carnarvon lost his life – for a number of reasons but there are eerie connections over the three thousand years linking these two men, the Pharaoh and the archaeologist.
Before his death, Lord Carnarvon recorded his thoughts in diary and letters. Always respectful, he hoped that the King's actual body would be allowed to rest peacefully in his tomb and he wrote whatever the words in his concession to excavate, everything should stay in Egypt.
Now the most extraordinary new museum has opened near Cairo, a beautiful and enormous building sitting alongside the only wonders of the ancient world still extant. The Grand Egyptian Museum is a gem and for the first time gathers together for the wonders from a civilisation which still beguiles so many people. Naturally, the centrepiece are the treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun, still the most intact Pharaoh’s burial ever found: curiously practical every day items, works of art, jewels and gold - so much gold - all telling their stories about both the pharaoh’s life and his hoped for life in death.
I can’t wait to visit.
32 Comments
I just bought my ticket! I'm so fortunate to have seen your exhibit at Highclere and now the G.E.M., too. Thank you for keeping this remarkable story alive and the legacy and determination of Lord Carnarvon!
We visited Egypt and Jordan on a Viking River cruise two years ago and this was a glorious time. The GEM was under construction but we visited two other museums that were outstanding. It's wonderful to realize that this new and outstanding museum has finally opened. I hope to visit it at some point in time. Thanks for you offering.
Egypt & the pyramids have fascinated me since childhood and in November2026 my husband and I will be taking a Viking cruise on the Nile and received word that the Grand Egyptian Museum will be part of the tour!! So it is very timely that you should post this today. Thank you.
How wonderful!
Lady Carnarvon-
I so enjoy your blog. It is beautifully written and so very interesting. In preparation for our visit to Egypt in Feb. 2020 I read a fair amount of Egyptian history including the biography
of Howard Carter. I have wondered why the relationship between the Carnarvon family and Carter did not have a place in the Downton series. Are you able to share your thoughts on this?
To me, it was a fascinating chapter.
Thank you . Karen Armstrong Atlanta, Georgia USA
We always hoped there might be a reference! Or a trip there..
Happy Monday!
I had read about the connections between Highclere and ancient Egypt in your book The Earl and the Pharoah. Most recently, I visited the King Tut Exhibition at Biltmore Estate,
So, the timing of your post today comes in a timely fashion!
-Rick Burfoot
Thank you for the education, how wonderful.
always Jenny
I enjoyed reading your book about Lord Carnarvon and the Pharaoh as well as your other books about the lives of your husband's ancestors. Your other books are terrific as well. I have all of them!
You are very kind!
I am thrilled by this and have my long awaited trip top Egypt planned for September 2026, and cannot wait to see this incredible museum and all its treasures. Truly thrilled as I have loved Egyptian history since I was in 4th grade!
My father was always interested in Egyptology and instilled this fascination in me. I greatly admire the fact that you are keeping Lord Carnarvon's history alive
in order that we can all share in this interesting and important piece of history.
I truly enjoyed your post today. My father would have enjoyed it too!
Great reading again thank you
Incredible legacy passed down through the family. I am humbled by your email. Thank you so much for the time you have taken and continue to take bring readers into your lives . Gratefully yours. Moya
Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for another update on the remarkable history of the Tombs of Pharoahs and the late Lord Carnarvon’s strong part in that history. How exciting to plan to visit this amazing museum. We remember from our 2013 Highclere visit how interesting the display at your and Geordie’s home is.
Martha G
We visited Egypt on Viking Sobek earlier this year and although the GEM was not open, we did get to the Valley of the Kings and were fortunate to visit Tutankhamun's tomb and also Howard Carter's home. An amazing piece about the excavation. I have also read your book 'The Earl and the Pharaoh' which I found extremely well written and interesting
s
Having visited both Highclere and Tuk''s tomb, we are still amazed at the beauty and the wonderous architecture!
We also visited the temporary home of Mr. Carter. The experience was the most wonderful of all our trips.
Dear Lady Carnarvon, Thank you very much for featuring the GEM in today's post. As part of our Viking Cruise, Pharaohs & Pyramids, my husband and I toured the GEM on November 4, 2025. The GEM is hugely important on many levels. In addition to portraying the history of Egypt, it contains the well curated display of 5,000 years of history and demonstrates the intelligence and skill of ancient civilizations. Further, many of the romantic myths are being replaced by genuine appreciation and respect for the committed professionals and artisans. The GEM has the potential for being hugely inspirational. By stimulating the human capacity and appropriately using the tools we have available today, mankind should be able to make huge and lasting accomplishments.
.
Lovely the pictures of The G.EM did you and lord Carnarvon have a wonderful weekend lam fan of highcelere castle and Downton Abbey
We visited your lovely castle recently and we were very impressed with your Egyptian exhibition. I’m lucky enough to have visited the Cairo museum many times . It was a magical place but a touch unloved in places. This new museum and its location look spectacular…very much looking forward to organising another visit.
Thank you for your insights and for your great book, The Earl and the Pharoah. The reader really gets pulled into the story and
you know the people well by the end. I was really sad when Lord Carnarvon died, at what such a high point in his life, even
though I knew how the story ended. I visited Egypt in 2022 and got a chance to see the Tut collection at the old museum and
visit his tomb in the Valley of Kings. I tired to imagine what it must have been like, when Carter first saw his “wonderful things”
or how it was to excavate in the semi dark not knowing what was ahead. I got to see the new museum from a distance, but
am looking forward to returning for a visit someday. It looks like a spectacular building filled with “wonderful things”.
Saw and so enjoyed your exhibition at the 02 several years ago! Was a fan even before Downton Abbey and my trip to Highclere.
The museum I visited in Cairo in 1966 was dark and crowded. Surely the new place will do justice to the treasures.
After seeing the exhibition of Tutankhamun in 1977 at the Chicago Field Museum, it became my dream to visit Egypt. Forty-seven years later, a year ago at this time, my dream came true when I went on an extended tour of Egypt with the last day visiting the G.E.M. which had only opened the week before. Years of reading and longing were fulfilled as I gazed on the exhibition of Tutankhamun at the Old Egyptian Museum. The G.E.M. is absolutely spectacular. I highly recommend Lady Carnarvon's book, The Earl and the Pharaoh as well as all her other books I have collected on Highclere and the Egyptian connection.
Egypt is entirely unique - I look froward to returning
I visited G.E.M. a week after it opened. I was so impressed by the scale of the building. Viewing the Pyramids from the huge window of GEM is spectacular. Due to limited time on tour we went to the exhibition of over 5,000 pieces found in Tutankhamun’s tomb. It takes your breath away. To imagine he reigned in 1333 to 1332 BCE. The skill & craftsmanship in that time was incredible. I suggest for those visiting G.E.M. to have plenty of time. You would need several days to absorb the outstanding displays.
I would go back to Egypt just to visit the GEM! There is so much more to see of what Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon discovered. Indeed, it was amazing how close Tutankhamun's tomb was to Ramses II's tomb.
Apologies for my ignorance but can you tell me what G.E.M. is?
Thank you
The Grand Egyptian Museum
Love all of your blogs, so interesting and they draw me in and spark motivation to look for more about the subject matter. So looking forward to visiting your beautiful home.
Many thanks
Dianne a brit in the usa
Lady Carnarvon, my wife and I visite Highclere and met Louis and bought some of your wonderful gin, but the highlight of our visit was going down into the cellar to see the Tutanhhamun replica relics including the life-size replica of Tutankhamun's tomb, complete with copies of the wall paintings, the mummy, and many of the ornate objects found inside, such as the middle coffin and the famous golden mask..
I have been to the old Museum and to the Tomb in the Valkey of Kings, to many more Ancient Egyptian Sites, and to your Tribute Museum in Hichclere Castle. I doubt I will get to the new Museum , however the work of Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter lives long in my memories and love for the Country of Egyptvand its people. Well done to you and the our Lord Carnarvon for keeping this history alive.👍🏽💛
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Many apologies for this late reply, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog, thank you. I visited the Valley of the Kings & King Tut's
Tomb, which was magical. I also visited the Grand Museum in Cairo which was absolutely spellbinding. I hope you so get the opportunity to return, I'm not sure I will because the mosquitos nearly ate me alive!! Sending lots of love to you all at Highclere, Caroline x
Wonderful story...Thank you for sharing.
An amazing discovery by Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter, bringing to light the many mysteries
surrounding the Ancient Egyptians.
Wonderfuly story
Thank you
Thank you for all the updates.
Fantastic article about this museum, and the history of the dig to find the tomb, and your family's involvement in it.
Leave a Comment
- Christmas
- Community
- Dogs & Horses
- Egypt & Tutankhamun
- Entertaining
- Farm
- Filming
- Gardens
- History & Heritage
- Daily Life
- Royalty
- Cooking
- Interiors
- Heroes
- Architecture
- Cars
- Conservation
- Downton Abbey
- Events
- Gardens & Landscape
- Highclere Castle Gin
- History
- Planes
- Restoration
- Stories & Books
- Uncategorized
- Visitors
- Wildlife
Phenomenal!
Thank you, you are kind
Just looking at the interior corridor, one has to wonder how long it took for artisans to complete the tomb ! One has to speculate that these constructions must have been begun while a pharaoh’s reign was in its infancy !
The embellishments are unbelievable ! Has the Earl’s journals ever touched on this aspect ?
Brilliant blog—— thank you !