Strahd_Von_Zarovich
First Post
Wed, 4 Dec 1929. Less then a month before Christmas.
It is a regular night in London, the United Kingdom. It’s been almost 3 hours of soft, trickle rain. As always the sky above the metropolis is covered with a wide blanket of nimbostratus clouds, the city lamps begin to shine and illuminate the grim gray twilight. It is half past 18, and you gather in Professor James Edward Quibell’s room in the University college of London. He is a British known Egyptologist, excavating relics of pharaohs in the Middle East more then two decades. Thought he is less famous then the known archeologists and Egyptologist Howard Carter and Professor Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie.
Some of you sit around an old style English oak table from the 17 century and chit chat, other sit on the cozy sofa Prof. Quibell brought from Persia. Others stand with a cup of warm tea and look at the interesting antiques that lie behind the glass-fronted display cabinets, The Professor’s collection is something to be proud of. An impressive chandelier hangs from the ceiling and illuminates the room, the Professor bought it in auction at Wales 5 years ago. A bowl of fresh apples lies on the table, beside it stands a decorative Egyptian vase that holds lilies. The most impressive artifact over here is the huge statue head of the pharaoh Piye, he was known also as the King of Nubia (752 – 721 BC). Shelves cover the room’s walls and are filled with books on Archeology, Anthropology, Philosophy, National history, Middle East history, books that deals with botany in the old world and in the new world, student’s written works, and the professor's own works.
Some of the faces are known to you. Prof. Quibell is sitting on a leather big chair behind his desk and inspects a letter. Howard Carter, the famous archeologist sits next to him, a walking stick lies on the floor. The poor man broke his ankle two weeks ago when he slipped on a wet floor.
The former journalist and the now writer Arthur Edward Pearse Brome Weigall stands and inspect a nice Hittite’s mask, next to him stands the known Times Photographer Harry Burton
Standing near the window and looking out to the rainy eve is Professor Henri 'Hans' Frankfort, a Dutch Egyptologist, archaeologist and orientalist, he lives in London for quite some years. across the room you see Elizabeth thomson, the young archeologist woman is attractive and genius, she came from America to study in the University, some say she is the next thing in the Egyptology field.
The English book dealer Jack Paterland is in the room, and the known and past dig-foreman from Egypt Fouad Mustafa Nassir that lives now in London.
Across the room stands the american Archaeologist Joshua "Josh" Hilts. Sitting on the sofa with a pencil in his teeth is Thomas Hopkins, a known painter. Among Hopkins’s works are the pyramids and the pharaohs tombs, his work can be seen in the Oriental department in London's Museum of art.
The last member is Professor Frederick Jones Bliss, a 77 years old American archaeologist, specializing in the region of Palestine, he arrived to London four days ago to participate in a conference and was invited by Professor Quibell to this meeting.
“I greet you all to my office noble gentlemen and lady, most of you know each other from previous missions, lectures and conferences, but for those who don’t know each other I’ll re-introduce you."
He introduces you one by one and continues.
I received an interesting letter a few days ago, I permitted my self to consult the matter with my best friend Howard and we came to conclusion that we might give it a shot. With out being more mysterious I will read the letter to you. It was sent by the honorable Professor, our own “father”, Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie. He sits in Jerusalem, as a personal guest of the former High Commissioner of Palestine Herbert Louis Samuel.
[sblock=Letter]
Dear Professor Quibell,
How are you, my old Briton friend?
I hope Clara is easing on your bones.
I must request your help as my bones are too old, I’m not as I was as I’m quite ill , who knows when god will decide to take me, but as long as breath flows in my nostrils, I will excavate every stone and every site in the land.
It has come to my attention that local Arab farmers in the Galilee have found something very unique. Since the artifact is quite magnificent, I do not want to spoil the excitement by describing it without you seeing it.
It was found not far from Tell al-Mutesellim, known as Tel Megiddo by the local Jews or Armageddon as our Christians fellows love to call it. The place was known in the near past as an Ottoman army camp, until your army crushed them down in the famous battle of Megiddo. The place should be unsettled, thought the land belongs to Dr. George Mendelovich, a British veteran and a good friend. The man influence and reputation is widely known from Haifa to Jerusalem.
Can you assemble a group of researches, journalists and painter and join me in the holy land?
I promise you my old friend, this place could be as significant as Howard’s crypts!
Waiting for your reply
Yours,
Sir W.M.F Petrie
[/sblock]
“I know that I retired but I think my bones are good for one last trip”
The Professor remarks and lowers his glasses to the audience laugh.
“Sadly my bones will not survive such trip nor Emma will let me go this time, I had my fame and glory, it is time for the young to receive some”
Howard Carter says and points to gypsum on his leg with a smile.
“Maybe this time we’ll find the biggest answer”
He adds
“What is the question that you so seek?”
Ask Harry Burton
“Already forgot, my good friend? You know what ... I’ll give the others to find the answer. Friends, can someone imagine how in the hell the pyramids were built?”
“Let me add a hint for the students”
Says old Professor Bliss
“Gentlemen, don’t you find it strange ... approximately 8000 years ago humans still lived in caves, hunting game and Mammoths with stone tools, then one day, The great Egyptians sprang to existence and built enormous pyramids ... how come?”
“OK, OK enough with the “Hebrews, aliens and gods built it” theories”
Professor Quibell remarks and adds.
“Every answer lies deep in the ground ... and answer we shall find through digging!”
“Just don’t dig too deep...”
Howard comments and laugh.
“No matter what, sadly, you’ll have to do the job without me. I have some obligations in South Africa next month” Say Harry Burton “Hopefully, I will join later”
“You can count me in professor Quibell, It’s been along time since I was in the Levant”
Replies the Dutch and turns around from the window.
One by one the participants agree to join the mission, some are clearly very excited, and others are happy but immediately concerned with preparations for the long voyage.
Then mark the day. We shall gather again in the first Monday of the New Year, same time, and same place to discuss final arrangements. I suggest you begin arranging your stuff and for those who are not familiar with the Levant, you better know something.
May I suggest for the student some references?
Prof. Bliss asks Prof. Quibell
Yes off course my dear colleague
Quibell replies
There is a compendium that consist reports about the British army battles in Palestine, Egypt, Tranjordan, Syria and Lebanon. “United Kingdom’s wars in the 19th and 20th century”, I think something like that.
With that the people begin to depart one by one.
What do you do?
It is a regular night in London, the United Kingdom. It’s been almost 3 hours of soft, trickle rain. As always the sky above the metropolis is covered with a wide blanket of nimbostratus clouds, the city lamps begin to shine and illuminate the grim gray twilight. It is half past 18, and you gather in Professor James Edward Quibell’s room in the University college of London. He is a British known Egyptologist, excavating relics of pharaohs in the Middle East more then two decades. Thought he is less famous then the known archeologists and Egyptologist Howard Carter and Professor Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie.
Some of you sit around an old style English oak table from the 17 century and chit chat, other sit on the cozy sofa Prof. Quibell brought from Persia. Others stand with a cup of warm tea and look at the interesting antiques that lie behind the glass-fronted display cabinets, The Professor’s collection is something to be proud of. An impressive chandelier hangs from the ceiling and illuminates the room, the Professor bought it in auction at Wales 5 years ago. A bowl of fresh apples lies on the table, beside it stands a decorative Egyptian vase that holds lilies. The most impressive artifact over here is the huge statue head of the pharaoh Piye, he was known also as the King of Nubia (752 – 721 BC). Shelves cover the room’s walls and are filled with books on Archeology, Anthropology, Philosophy, National history, Middle East history, books that deals with botany in the old world and in the new world, student’s written works, and the professor's own works.
Some of the faces are known to you. Prof. Quibell is sitting on a leather big chair behind his desk and inspects a letter. Howard Carter, the famous archeologist sits next to him, a walking stick lies on the floor. The poor man broke his ankle two weeks ago when he slipped on a wet floor.
The former journalist and the now writer Arthur Edward Pearse Brome Weigall stands and inspect a nice Hittite’s mask, next to him stands the known Times Photographer Harry Burton
Standing near the window and looking out to the rainy eve is Professor Henri 'Hans' Frankfort, a Dutch Egyptologist, archaeologist and orientalist, he lives in London for quite some years. across the room you see Elizabeth thomson, the young archeologist woman is attractive and genius, she came from America to study in the University, some say she is the next thing in the Egyptology field.
The English book dealer Jack Paterland is in the room, and the known and past dig-foreman from Egypt Fouad Mustafa Nassir that lives now in London.
Across the room stands the american Archaeologist Joshua "Josh" Hilts. Sitting on the sofa with a pencil in his teeth is Thomas Hopkins, a known painter. Among Hopkins’s works are the pyramids and the pharaohs tombs, his work can be seen in the Oriental department in London's Museum of art.
The last member is Professor Frederick Jones Bliss, a 77 years old American archaeologist, specializing in the region of Palestine, he arrived to London four days ago to participate in a conference and was invited by Professor Quibell to this meeting.
“I greet you all to my office noble gentlemen and lady, most of you know each other from previous missions, lectures and conferences, but for those who don’t know each other I’ll re-introduce you."
He introduces you one by one and continues.
I received an interesting letter a few days ago, I permitted my self to consult the matter with my best friend Howard and we came to conclusion that we might give it a shot. With out being more mysterious I will read the letter to you. It was sent by the honorable Professor, our own “father”, Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie. He sits in Jerusalem, as a personal guest of the former High Commissioner of Palestine Herbert Louis Samuel.
[sblock=Letter]
Dear Professor Quibell,
How are you, my old Briton friend?
I hope Clara is easing on your bones.
I must request your help as my bones are too old, I’m not as I was as I’m quite ill , who knows when god will decide to take me, but as long as breath flows in my nostrils, I will excavate every stone and every site in the land.
It has come to my attention that local Arab farmers in the Galilee have found something very unique. Since the artifact is quite magnificent, I do not want to spoil the excitement by describing it without you seeing it.
It was found not far from Tell al-Mutesellim, known as Tel Megiddo by the local Jews or Armageddon as our Christians fellows love to call it. The place was known in the near past as an Ottoman army camp, until your army crushed them down in the famous battle of Megiddo. The place should be unsettled, thought the land belongs to Dr. George Mendelovich, a British veteran and a good friend. The man influence and reputation is widely known from Haifa to Jerusalem.
Can you assemble a group of researches, journalists and painter and join me in the holy land?
I promise you my old friend, this place could be as significant as Howard’s crypts!
Waiting for your reply
Yours,
Sir W.M.F Petrie
[/sblock]
“I know that I retired but I think my bones are good for one last trip”
The Professor remarks and lowers his glasses to the audience laugh.
“Sadly my bones will not survive such trip nor Emma will let me go this time, I had my fame and glory, it is time for the young to receive some”
Howard Carter says and points to gypsum on his leg with a smile.
“Maybe this time we’ll find the biggest answer”
He adds
“What is the question that you so seek?”
Ask Harry Burton
“Already forgot, my good friend? You know what ... I’ll give the others to find the answer. Friends, can someone imagine how in the hell the pyramids were built?”
“Let me add a hint for the students”
Says old Professor Bliss
“Gentlemen, don’t you find it strange ... approximately 8000 years ago humans still lived in caves, hunting game and Mammoths with stone tools, then one day, The great Egyptians sprang to existence and built enormous pyramids ... how come?”
“OK, OK enough with the “Hebrews, aliens and gods built it” theories”
Professor Quibell remarks and adds.
“Every answer lies deep in the ground ... and answer we shall find through digging!”
“Just don’t dig too deep...”
Howard comments and laugh.
“No matter what, sadly, you’ll have to do the job without me. I have some obligations in South Africa next month” Say Harry Burton “Hopefully, I will join later”
“You can count me in professor Quibell, It’s been along time since I was in the Levant”
Replies the Dutch and turns around from the window.
One by one the participants agree to join the mission, some are clearly very excited, and others are happy but immediately concerned with preparations for the long voyage.
Then mark the day. We shall gather again in the first Monday of the New Year, same time, and same place to discuss final arrangements. I suggest you begin arranging your stuff and for those who are not familiar with the Levant, you better know something.
May I suggest for the student some references?
Prof. Bliss asks Prof. Quibell
Yes off course my dear colleague
Quibell replies
There is a compendium that consist reports about the British army battles in Palestine, Egypt, Tranjordan, Syria and Lebanon. “United Kingdom’s wars in the 19th and 20th century”, I think something like that.
With that the people begin to depart one by one.
What do you do?
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