Carter had searched the valley for years, paid for by Lord Carnarvon, who was ready to give up. The first step was found under the remains of ancient workmen's huts, and by the next day a whole staircase had been cleared. Carter covered it again and waited for Carnarvon to arrive from England.
On 26 November he made a hole in the sealed doorway. Asked if he could see anything, he is said to have replied, "Yes, wonderful things." The nearly intact tomb held more than 5,000 objects, including the famous gold mask.
Source: Wikipedia