Lizzie Glithero-West Profile picture
Oct 23, 2022 62 tweets 30 min read Read on X
Newspapers incorrectly reported that she had arrived but this was incorrect. Wichelo lost two sons and the sarcophagus was lost. The sarcophagus was insured by the British museum but the ship was not. Richard Wichelo lost everything. An irony that it was moved to ‘protect it’.
Its location is unknown. Weiss’s work was altogether destructive to the Giza plateau - but he didn’t operate a lone. A lot of agents operating with various political and economic motivations. @N_Nielsen4 #onwardsupwards2022
Burial chamber had clearly been visited repeatedly. Coffin & finds there were post-pharaonic.
Next is @janetteleaf1 on Scarabmania from a literature perspective. #onwardsupwards2022
There were many scarabs in collections prior but also several in the tomb of #Tutankhamun100 - why were scarabs so interesting? Due to the way they lay their eggs they were a symbol of rebirth. Also associated with Khepri “coming into being” - metamorphosis death to life.
Scarabs - the defiance of death. Iconography was long lasting and built momentum. Various Victorian & Edwardian Egyptian gothicists referred to them. This is the version I read a few years ago (cool cover). #onwardsupwards2022
Heart Scarabs - securing a positive outcome at the judgement. Asking the heart not to speak against the deceased. Features in @janetteleaf1 1st cautionary tale ‘The Mummy’s Soul’ 1862 NY Magazine. The terrifying insect becomes an obsession with the archaeologist & kills his wife.
Various sets of scarab based Egyptian Revival jewellery. Sometimes real beetles! Jane Austin (American writer) wrote ‘After Three Thousand Years’ featuring a scarab necklace taken from Egypt that kills a bride. Her friend Louise May Alcott went on to write a similar story.
As the story goes - it is the human flesh that in contact with the scarab activates their avenging power. The plots of some of these gothic writers might be an oblique way of criticising some of the tomb raiding of the time.
But they take on more positive associations. Craze continues through 20th C following Tutankhamun’s discovery. People still wear them today. #onwardsupwards2022
A little gap here now from my paper - thanks to @issegyptomania for capturing a summary #OnwardsUpwards2022
Finally this session is @TonyKeen46 on Egyptomania in tv drama. Especially looking at the 1970s tomorrow people. Linked into the the pseudo archaeology idea that Egyptians couldn’t have created their own civilisation - that it must have been ancient aliens. #OnwardsUpwards2022
Central importance of 1972 Tutankhamun exhibition in the use of Egypt in this period in tv and set design says @TonyKeen46
Finally for the @issegyptomania conference #OnwardsUpwards2022 is @JohnJJohnston on Dr Who: Pyramids of Mars. Various Dr Who precursors related to Egypt.
Films such as the Mummy also feed in to influence Pyramids of Mars. There is also some of the pseudoarchaeology (Von Daniken etc…) emerging on the idea of ancient aliens. @JohnJJohnston has also found an early science fiction connecting Mars to images of Egypt. All precursors.
It’s also just after (1975) the 1972 Treasures of Tutankhamun exhibition at the @britishmuseum
Set in 1911 (before #Tutankhamun) supposedly set in 1st dynasty, but with images from new kingdom, a version of a Tutankhamun throne reused from previous films, and other new kingdom tomb paintings from previous productions.
Sutek appears in the Tardis (changes by the end of the story…)
Writer brings the gothic into a family show, fusing a range of ideas. But not big on research. Uses a dictionary of mythology references. Sutekh’s mask - has eye of Horus, version of Uraeus, the White Crown (Atef crown). Aliens called Osirians.
Connection to Set - powerful & dangerous deity.
Aggression, dominance, strangeness
Ancient Egyptians needed harmony - forces in balance. Set is a deity and treated as such. There were personal pieties - he was considerably more than just a monster.
Rameses II & Seti henna hair - connection to Set? (Depicted with red hair). Later he’s softened to become Amon in the statue shown. Set in the papyrus sits on the solar bark & deals with the serpent through the night. Ultimate warrior. Connection to the idea in Dr Who?
Last appearance of Set - depicted with the angels stabbing a devil character. Adopted same idea as part of Christian theme? Ultimate but dangerous warrior? Some strange costume decisions but may be connected to the image found below.
Bulbous look of coffins also perhaps connected.
Canopic jar generator connected to Set?
Some interesting style connections
Ring echoing Jewel of Seven Stars.
Scarab ring activates service robots
Karloff wears a scarab ring in the Mummy. Connection to the performance in pyramids of Mars. Wearing of Fez is also a throwback to previous productions.
Sold at Bonhams. Similar image regurgitated later - connection back to the prop.
Idea of pyramid power.
And a legacy in later productions

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More from @heritage_lizzie

Jun 18
Good afternoon from the @ArchHFund #AHF50 conference at the beautiful St Barts Heritage Image
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Jun 10
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Mar 25
Day 2 @ACEVO - today we are online. Some opening reflections from Rebecca Wilkinson summing up yesterday. Resilience isn’t always ploughing on - it’s taking time to think. Supporting those we serve & also looking after ourselves.
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Mar 24
Joining the @ACEVO Leadership conference this morning. CEO Jane kicks off alongside sponsors. We are encouraged to not only listen to what leaders say but also reflect on what they mean. There is a warmth & collaboration in our charity sector that is unparalleled elsewhere. Image
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Mar 19
Good morning from Stoke & the Cultural Development Fund Network looking at project legacy. A welcome from local Clr Jane Ashworth talking about the important role of culture in grounding us, inclusion, trust & countering troubling narratives. Culture should be a right for all. Image
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Some reflections from David Johnson of @ace_national: 1. CDF has demonstrated value of partnership & convening; 2. Rooted in local identity & place 3. Sustainability is key - delivery is the beginning.
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Oct 21, 2025
Here to represent the @Heritage_NGOs at today’s #GreatExpectations conference at the @V_and_A with @Ecclesiastical @TheCCT @NatChurchTrust @KingsFdn - I’ll be tweeting along here. Image
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We are welcomed by @OliverJWCox talking about the @V_and_A history with being part of conversations about conservation & preservation. Inspiration from discussion at @Historic_Houses AGM around the role of the V&A 1970s exhibition on the Destruction of the English Country House. Image
Richard Taylor talks about the 50th anniversary of ‘Change and Decay’ here at @V_and_A & the urgency of discussions about the future of churches. Hugh Dennis talks about his own church journey. Churches of all ages & types are an important part of regional identity and community. Image
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