Question

Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context.
1. forensic reconstruction
2. scudded across
3. casket grey
4. Resurrection
5. funerary treasures
6. Circumvented

Answer 1

Hint: The context of the above question is given in the chapter ‘ Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues’ written by A.R. Williams. The source of the information is National Geographic, Vol 207, No. 6.

Complete answer:
The inference based on the reference of the given words is as follows-
1) Forensic Reconstruction - Line of reference in the text is “Tut has undergone a CT scan that offers new clues about his life and death — and provides precise data for an accurate forensic reconstruction of the boyish pharaoh.” It is a process of deriving an image of the face from a skull. As per the given sentence, it was done to find out how Tut looked.

2) Scudded across- Line of reference in the text is “ Dark-bellied clouds had scudded across the desert sky all day and now were veiling the stars in casket grey.” It means to move or run swiftly. In the sentence it implies that dark bellied clouds moved swiftly across the desert for the whole day.

3) Casket grey- Line of reference in the text is” Dark-bellied clouds had scudded across the desert sky all day and now were veiling the stars in casket grey.” Casket means a decorated box while grey implies old. Therefore, casket grey means an ancient decorated box for keeping jewels. In the sentence it implies that dark clouds were hiding the stars in the grey sky. The term has been used because casket grey is relatable to Egyptian civilization.

4) Resurrection- Line of reference in the text is”They remain the richest royal collection ever found and have become part of the pharaoh’s legend. Stunning artefacts in gold, their eternal brilliance meant to guarantee resurrection, caused a sensation at the time of the discovery — and still get the most attention.” It means coming back to life after death. In the sentence it implies the gold artefacts buried with Tut were believed to bring the dead back to life.

5) Funerary treasures- Line of reference in the text is”After months of carefully recording the pharaoh’s funerary treasures, Carter began investigating his three nested coffins.” It means the things/ treasures that were kept with the body during burial. In the sentence it implies the gold ornaments and daily life things buried with Tut.

6) Circumvented - Line of reference in the text is”Carter really had little choice. If he hadn’t cut the mummy free, thieves most certainly would have circumvented the guards and ripped it apart to remove the gold” It means to find a way around; outwit. In the sentence it implies that thieves would have outwitted the guards and ripped Tut’s remains to remove the gold.

Note: More such expressions have been used throughout the chapter such as eerie detail, computed tomography, Garlands of willow, death rattle, aftermath, chiselled away etc. Most of the phrases that are used are either related to archaeological and scientific research or add spooky details to the context of the chapter.