Ten years ago today I posted the first article on the Mysterious Writings website. It was for the armchair treasure hunt of Maranatha which began in 2005 and ended in 2011. The solution for that puzzle was never provided, and still to this day, the meaning of the clues and ‘Secret Key’ are not conclusively known or confirmed by the creators.

Maranatha had involved much of the mystery surrounding Rennes le Chateau– which is an actual historical enigma that had even inspired the bestselling book, The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown. The fact Brown’s novel contained pieces of truth was partly the reason for its huge success.

Now, ten years later, I take a look back on some of these posts….. there over a thousand, close to 1500 posts on lost treasures, treasure hunts, and other adventurous fun shared here.

Each month, on the 13th, during this MW 10th anniversary year, I’ll share one of my favorite posts I’ve written on this site, and why.

I’ll also host a GiveAway for a MW item based on that post. (see below)

As I browse through the site, the story about Howard Carter discovering the tomb of King Tut caught my eye. A few years ago my husband and I had visited an exhibition of the tomb’s treasures, and listened to a lecture by Zahi Hawass, the Egyptian archeologist and former Minister of Antiquities. I wrote about that experience.

While the article is entitled, ‘The Sacred Vessel in King Tut’s Tomb’, and I share information on this incredible found treasure, one of the pieces cherished by Carter himself; the reason it is one of my favorites, is because I feel part of that article encapsulates my reasoning for creating Mysterious Writings. To inspire.

It is an article on hope, dedication, struggle, heartbreak, persistence, failure, and finally – but only because of Howard’s determination and conviction-  Victory. It is about the final discovery of King Tut’s Tomb by Howard Carter.

In the article is the following:

Carter believed, without support, that he could find a royal tomb, intact, still in the Valley of Kings. It was believed by others the area was exhausted at the time, and he was thought foolish by his peers for spending so many seasons digging there. He had the opportunity to yield, and quit his mission, when after years of searching, Lord Carnarvon, who supplied the funds for Carter’s works, had said he was tired of his fruitless digs and wasn’t going to invest in them anymore. Carter could have walked away, gave up, but he was determined, and told Lord Carnarvon if he wouldn’t fund him, he would fund the next season himself. Carter was that certain a tomb was there to be found.

During Hawass’ speech that night, I listened to everyone, and myself, laugh when Hawass continued with the story. He said, Lord Carnarvon, exasperated and after hearing Carter’s reply, then decided to pay for one more season of digging, but only for the reason he was afraid Carter would actually find a tomb without him.

But think about that statement. Carter must have conveyed a strong enough conviction to Lord Carnarvon that he would find a tomb. His belief, hope, and determination, overcame feelings of discouragement and doubt. This faith was felt by his investor, Lord Carnarvon.

Year after year, of sifting through the sands, nothing but more sand and ordinary rock appeared. But then, on November 4th, 1922, just when lost hope for a find was being felt by searchers, possibly even by Carter, an extraordinary rock was uncovered.

….. continue reading here: The Sacred Vessel in King Tut’s Tomb

To enter a free drawing, from all correct submissions, for MW’s newest book, The Ultimate Guide on Armchair Treasure Hunts: A Look at Over 40 Past Armchair Treasure Hunts (shown below), please submit the answer to the following question (based on the article) by 2/23/22 to treasure@mysteriouswritings.com with subject: MW10.

What had Howard Carter called the Sacred Vessel, and where did he have its inscription engraved?

Winner of the drawing will be announced on the MW Forum and Social Channels 2/24.

Happy Anniversary!