person’s ability to stay the course when everyone else is ready to throw in the towel. But even strong willed people need “a little luck” every now and again. Reading the journals of some of the great archeologists, I’ve learned that they all struggled with doubt. Often-times, it was luck that pulled them through. Take Howard Carter, for example, who wrote the following in his book, The Discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamen.
“We had almost made up our minds that we were beaten, and were preparing to leave The Valley and try our luck elsewhere; and then—hardly had we set hoe to ground in our last despairing effort than we made a discovery that far exceeded our wildest dreams.”
We could really use this kind of luck. We need to find something that will reassure Dr. Aziz that we are, in fact, digging in the right place. I’m optimistic, but this is all new to me. I haven’t been digging here for six seasons like Dr. Aziz. It must be hard to remain positive year after year when you have almost nothing to show for your effort.
WYATT
FEBRUARY 26, 11:43 PM
TOMB COMPLEX, 30° 01’ N 31° 13’ E
14° CELSIUS, 57° FAHRENHEIT
SKIES CLEAR, WIND 5-10 MPH
By the light of a kerosene lantern, I’ve been reading all the material I could gather on the life of Cleopatra. I brought a book with me from home, and Khalid loaned me a binder of information to look over. If we’re going to find the long lost Queen, I want to know everything I can about her.
Below is what I’ve learned so far:
Cleopatra was born around 69 B.C. She was of Macedonian descent and her name, in Greek, means “glory to her fatherland.” She inherited the throne of Egypt at the age of eighteen and came to rule most of the eastern Mediterranean Coast. Cleopatra was educated in philosophy, politics, public speaking, and was fluent in nine languages.
Charismatic, cunning, and very intelligent, Cleopatra had a reputation as a formidable nemesis and ally. To say she was a strong woman is a huge understatement. She had relationships with two of the most powerful men in history—the Roman leader Julius Caesar, and the love of her life, the great General, Mark Antony. During the height of her reign, her wealth was unmatched in the world.
Throughout her life, Cleopatra had to fight for her power and many times she battled against her own family. Lying, cheating, banishment, assassination attempts, some successful, some not, Cleopatra definitely had a unique relationship with her relatives. Time and again, mothers fought wars against their sons, brothers against sisters, nephews against uncles.
Ultimately, Cleopatra was taken captive by her Roman rival, Octavian, and the end of her reign was all but guaranteed. Instead of letting her rival determine her fate, Cleopatra took her own life. Legend has it that she requested an asp be placed next to her in bed. She was soon bitten by the highly venomous snake and died not long after. Some believe she was buried with Mark Antony, who had died in her arms shortly before her own passing.
All right, it’s getting late and we have some pretty tough days ahead. Time to extinguish the lantern and get some sleep.
GANNON
FEBRUARY 27
CAIRO
Last night was pretty much torture, thinking about the fellowship and all. Didn’t sleep a whole lot. Tried, but couldn’t. There were so many thoughts moving through my head that they got all backed up like the Cairo traffic.
Just after the sun was up, my mom walked into my room. Judging by the way she tilted her head and squinted her eyes, I must have looked like one of those mummies we found at A1.
“You feeling okay this morning?” she asked, concern in her voice.
“I’ve felt better,” I said.
“I have an idea,” she said. “I know you’re interested in learning Arabic. I thought maybe you would enjoy helping me at the school today.”
I sat up in bed and shrugged my shoulders. I mean, normally I would have been totally into something like that, but
“We had almost made up our minds that we were beaten, and were preparing to leave The Valley and try our luck elsewhere; and then—hardly had we set hoe to ground in our last despairing effort than we made a discovery that far exceeded our wildest dreams.”
We could really use this kind of luck. We need to find something that will reassure Dr. Aziz that we are, in fact, digging in the right place. I’m optimistic, but this is all new to me. I haven’t been digging here for six seasons like Dr. Aziz. It must be hard to remain positive year after year when you have almost nothing to show for your effort.
WYATT
FEBRUARY 26, 11:43 PM
TOMB COMPLEX, 30° 01’ N 31° 13’ E
14° CELSIUS, 57° FAHRENHEIT
SKIES CLEAR, WIND 5-10 MPH
By the light of a kerosene lantern, I’ve been reading all the material I could gather on the life of Cleopatra. I brought a book with me from home, and Khalid loaned me a binder of information to look over. If we’re going to find the long lost Queen, I want to know everything I can about her.
Below is what I’ve learned so far:
Cleopatra was born around 69 B.C. She was of Macedonian descent and her name, in Greek, means “glory to her fatherland.” She inherited the throne of Egypt at the age of eighteen and came to rule most of the eastern Mediterranean Coast. Cleopatra was educated in philosophy, politics, public speaking, and was fluent in nine languages.
Charismatic, cunning, and very intelligent, Cleopatra had a reputation as a formidable nemesis and ally. To say she was a strong woman is a huge understatement. She had relationships with two of the most powerful men in history—the Roman leader Julius Caesar, and the love of her life, the great General, Mark Antony. During the height of her reign, her wealth was unmatched in the world.
Throughout her life, Cleopatra had to fight for her power and many times she battled against her own family. Lying, cheating, banishment, assassination attempts, some successful, some not, Cleopatra definitely had a unique relationship with her relatives. Time and again, mothers fought wars against their sons, brothers against sisters, nephews against uncles.
Ultimately, Cleopatra was taken captive by her Roman rival, Octavian, and the end of her reign was all but guaranteed. Instead of letting her rival determine her fate, Cleopatra took her own life. Legend has it that she requested an asp be placed next to her in bed. She was soon bitten by the highly venomous snake and died not long after. Some believe she was buried with Mark Antony, who had died in her arms shortly before her own passing.
All right, it’s getting late and we have some pretty tough days ahead. Time to extinguish the lantern and get some sleep.
GANNON
FEBRUARY 27
CAIRO
Last night was pretty much torture, thinking about the fellowship and all. Didn’t sleep a whole lot. Tried, but couldn’t. There were so many thoughts moving through my head that they got all backed up like the Cairo traffic.
Just after the sun was up, my mom walked into my room. Judging by the way she tilted her head and squinted her eyes, I must have looked like one of those mummies we found at A1.
“You feeling okay this morning?” she asked, concern in her voice.
“I’ve felt better,” I said.
“I have an idea,” she said. “I know you’re interested in learning Arabic. I thought maybe you would enjoy helping me at the school today.”
I sat up in bed and shrugged my shoulders. I mean, normally I would have been totally into something like that, but
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