Harry Burton’s The Tombs of Harmhabi and Touatankhamanou is an early example of photography’s role in archaeological documentation. Undertaken during the landmark excavations of Egypt’s Valley of the Kings in the 1920s, this project accompanied Howard Carter’s historic discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and also explored the less-celebrated tomb of Horemheb. Burton’s images document the excavation process, highlighting the care and techniques involved in uncovering ancient artifacts.
At a time when photography was becoming a vital tool for archaeological documentation, Burton’s work went beyond simple cataloging. His photographs captured not only the treasures of the tombs but also the raw essence of the excavation itself—the dusty, dimly lit interiors, the precise positioning of each artifact, and the careful techniques used to preserve these fragile relics. By integrating artistry into his scientific documentation, Burton managed to imbue his images with a sense of wonder, inviting viewers into the moment of discovery itself.
Burton’s photographs reveal the human side of archaeology: the laborers removing rubble under the harsh Egyptian sun, Carter and his team poring over the uncovered treasures, and the painstaking measures taken to stabilize fragile objects. These glimpses into the methodical yet awe-inspiring process of excavation provide context to the objects themselves, situating them within a broader story of rediscovery.
Technically, Burton relied on large-format cameras and glass-plate negatives to achieve notable clarity and tonal depth. Working under difficult conditions, including cramped tomb interiors and variable lighting, he mastered techniques such as artificial illumination and long exposures to highlight details of carvings, textures, and the interplay of shadow and light. Each image was painstakingly staged to capture the artifacts as they lay in situ, preserving their exact context for future analysis and sharing these discoveries with the wider world.
Burton’s project offered a window into the fieldwork of one of archaeology’s greatest triumphs. First exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1923, his photographs circulated widely through Carter’s three-volume The Tomb of Tutankhamen (1923–33) and the illustrated press. Substantial holdings at the Met and at the Griffith Institute, Oxford, together with the related album The Tombs of Harmhabi and Touatankhamanou, connect this documentation to earlier Valley of the Kings campaigns.
