22nd September 1786

Egyptologist James Burton is bron

James Burton, who is buried in Edinburgh’s Dean Cemetery, was the first man of the modern day to enter the largest tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, which contains the remains of the sons of Ramesses II. Ramesses II was one of the most powerful pharaohs in Ancient Egypt. Unfortunately for Burton, he would have been unaware of the full extent of the tomb he had opened, or who it contained, as access into its inner chambers proved impossible for more than 150 years after his initial excavations.

Burton lived in Egypt for close to 15 years where he helped in the exploration of several tombs, led the exploration of others, and compiled a dictionary of hieroglyphics. However, less than half of his time in Egypt has been accounted for, so there’s no way of knowing the full extent of his work in the country.

 

 

Other events that occured in September

  • 01

    Border Television goes on the air
    Border Television launched in 1961 from headquarters in Carlisle and covered a region straddling the Scottish / English border.

  • 02

    BBC Pacific Quay opens
    Prime Minister Gordon Brown opened the BBC’s new studios and Scottish headquarters at Glasgow’s Pacific Quay in September 2007

  • 03

    The Battle of Flodden Field
    Scotland suffered a heavy defeat at Flodden Field, even losing its king, despite having had an early advantage against the English.

  • 04

    First section of the Caledonian Main Line opens
    The first part of the Caledonian Main Line opened on a foggy morning in September 1847. It eventually became part of the West Coast Main Line.

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