This is not a reproduction in miniature but rather a representation of a type.

In 1922, when Howard Carter and his patron Lord Carnarvon peeked through a small hole made in the tomb of Tutankhamun, all they saw was the reflection of gold.

Amongst the treasures subsequently brought out of the tomb were six chariots which, with the two others of the type known, form the Tutankhamun Class Chariot.
Tutankhamun's chariots are classified under the numbers A1- A6.

Chariots A1 and A2 are the state chariots, wood with gesso to give a smooth base and beaten gold over the whole surface. All the gold is decorated showing Tutankhamun in victorious roles, subduing Egypt's enemies.

Chariots A4 - A6 are undecorated wooden frames which may have had a leather
'butchers apron' siding', none of which had survived the three thousand year storage period. These vehicles were classed as hunting chariots.

Chariot A3 was an in-between, having gold covered wooden surfaces with a leather 'Butchers Apron' siding.

Some of the leather is seen in the original photos from the tomb, but was not preserved as only small pieces remained; these gave no idea of the leather colour or decoration. But other leather work, chariots and tomb decoration suggest it was highly coloured and decorated in an appliqué style, with different colour leathers, not in the manner shown here.

The chariots are characterized by their wide wheel track and 'dragon fly" lightness.

Only hide glue and raw-hide was used in the vehicle assembly, giving a springy base which was accentuated with a woven hide floor, usually covered by animal skin or a tufted mat.

The pole is only fastened at the front of the chariot with the end being placed in a box on the axle and not being fastened at this point; this acts as an anti-roll device. This was copied by the Roman racing chariots later on.

Each spoke is two pieces lengthways, with each piece being steam bent so one piece forms one side of two spokes, set with the v of the spoke in a sprocket type hub, which itself is made of three pieces, glued, bound, then embedded in the rim and held in place with wedges.

For further information see;
M.A. Littauer & J.H. Crouwel
Chariots and Related Equipment from the Tomb of Tutankhamun.
ISBN 0 900416 39 4; 1985

Howard Carter; is he and his ilk actually any better then the tomb robbers that preceded them




Little work has been done on the timber types used by the Egyptians, however some investigation show Elm was used for naves, spokes fellies and spoke wedges. The outer 2 parts of the nave in one case is a variety of Tamarisk. Birch bark was used as a waterproof cover on joints and painted as a decorative item.

It has not been established if the timber was heat bent, steamed or even grown to shape. Perhaps all methods were used. Some of the Elms, and certainly
White Birch is readily heat bent.

Much of the wood has not even been identified, but it is clear that the Egyptians imported timber from Europe.

Demolition Rimu, laminated and heat bent forms the model. The timber was then sealed, a red ocher base applied, and the timber work gilded with gold leaf.

Leather decorations, brass jewelry pieces and antique brass buttons were adapted for the model.
The tyre is leather, as were some of the original Chariot wheels.

The model is 1/8th scale.