Archaeology Magazine - Passport to Antiquity - Passport Stamp 3

Stamp text: "Upon the sworn application of the holder of this passport, it is hereby emended for use in visiting the additional countries hereinafter named, for the following objects: India—En route to Mesopotamia—archaeological work. Frederic de Billier, Chargé d'affaires. American Diplomatic Agency & Consulate-General, Cairo Egypt. Fee Book No. 103 (no fee)."

In Egypt, Breasted used his political contacts to advance his research interests by obtaining permission to fly in a British military biplane to take photographs of the pyramids at Giza and other archaeological sites. He commented both on the breathtaking beauty of the view (on what may have been his first airplane flight), and on the challenges of the flight: "The air was very lumpy and at frequent intervals we dropped with a sickening fall into a hole in the air, as you come down in an elevator. This had been going on for nearly an hour. I stuck to my pictures and to studying the terrain from one great pyramid cemetery to the next, grinding my teeth and swearing I was not going to give up to it. But it was all of no avail. I leaned over the cockpit rail and surrendered to the Sahara a very good thirty piaster lunch!"

Breasted in aviator suit (Courtesy Oriental Institute)

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