Beneath the Castle
The Egyptian
Exhibition
The Greatest Archaeological
Discovery of the 20th Century
On 4 November 1922, Howard Carter and the 5th Earl of Carnarvon stood outside the unremarkable entrance to the tomb of a minor pharaoh in the Valley of the Kings. What they found inside would change the world's understanding of ancient Egypt forever.
Lord Carnarvon's Discovery
The 5th Earl & Tutankhamun
George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, was one of the most celebrated Egyptologists of his day. He had been funding Howard Carter's excavations in the Valley of the Kings for over a decade when, in November 1922, they made the discovery that would make them both immortal.
The tomb of Tutankhamun was the most intact royal burial ever discovered in Egypt. Tragically, Lord Carnarvon died just five months after the discovery, never seeing the full extent of the treasures within. Many of his personal Egyptian artefacts and papers are now housed in the exhibition at Highclere.
Book to Visit the Exhibition
Exhibition Highlights
Lord Carnarvon's Artefacts
Personal Egyptian antiquities collected by the 5th Earl during his years of excavation in the Valley of the Kings.
The Discovery Story
A detailed account of the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, with original photographs and documents.
The Carnarvon Legacy
The story of how a Hampshire aristocrat became one of the most important figures in the history of Egyptology.
Visiting the Exhibition
The Egyptian Exhibition is located in the cellars beneath Highclere Castle and is included in all standard Castle tour tickets. The exhibition is self-guided and takes approximately 30–45 minutes to explore fully.
Please note that the cellars involve steps and may not be fully accessible for all visitors. If you have accessibility requirements, please contact us before booking.