ancient Pharaoh’s Tomb Reopens in Luxor After Two Decades of Restoration
LUXOR, Egypt – The tomb of Amenhotep III, a powerful pharaoh who ruled ancient Egypt between 1390 B.C. and 1350 B.C., has reopened too the public following a 20-year restoration project led by Japan. Located on the west bank of the famed Valley of the Kings, the tomb had been looted of its contents, including its sarcophagus, after its finding in 1799.
The reopening offers a glimpse into the burial site of one of Egypt’s most prominent rulers, known as Amenhotep the Great, who ascended the throne as a teenager and reigned for up to 38 years during the 18th Dynasty (1550 B.C.- 1292 B.C.). While the tomb itself is not fully decorated, its remaining paintings depict amenhotep III alongside ancient Egyptian gods, and the burial chamber features inscriptions from the Book of the Dead.
“Its a very fascinating tomb,” said mohamed Ismail, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, at the site.He noted the tomb still contains the frame of the stolen sarcophagus box, with the lid in place.
The tomb’s layout includes a 36-meter (118-foot) long, 14-meter (45-foot) deep passageway leading to a main burial chamber for the king, and separate chambers for his wives, Queens Tiye and Sitamun.
Notably, Amenhotep III’s mummy was moved by ancient priests to the tomb of his grandfather, Amenhotep II, also in the Valley of the Kings, and is currently displayed at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization alongside 16 other royal mummies.
The reopening occurs less than a month before the scheduled November 1st inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids. Egyptian authorities hope these revitalized historical sites will boost tourism, a crucial source of foreign currency that has struggled as the 2011 uprising.
