The mysteries of ancient Egypt have
fascinated generations of Europeans trying to unravel the secrets of the
pyramids, but the discovery of the tomb of Tut-Ankh-Amen by the Earl of
Carnarvon and Howard Carter in 1922 thrilled the world. The amazing treasures
revealed, and the strange circumstances of Carnarvon's early death giving rise
to rumours about 'the curse of the Pharoahs, sparked a frenzy of interest in
Egyptology.
One of the tobacco
companies to exploit this phenomenon was Cavanders who in 1928 commissioned
fifty cards on the subject of Ancient Egypt, 25 in standard size and 25
(different) in a large size, there latter being our set of the month for
September.
The colour pictures,
based on original Egyptian drawings, are on a rich gold or silver background,
and illustrate aspects of everyday life in the Nile Valley around 5,000 years -
activities such as winnowing corn, making furniture, ostrich farming, fishing,
brick-making, pottery, textiles, goldsmiths etc. We see the army - troops,
trumpeters and archers and we learn about their gods and their kings in the
highly informative texts. One of the most touching paintings shows a mummy, a
bird and the god Anubis. The description tells us that resurrection of the body
was believed necessary for the after-life, so the dead were carefully embalmed.
The bird represents the spirit or soul returning to breathe life back into the
mummy, while Anubis prepares to unwrap the bandages ready for the
body to live again.
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