Cairo [Egypt], October 6: Egyptian authorities on October 4 opened the tomb of Pharaoh Amenhotep III in Luxor city, after more than 20 years of restoration.
Tourists on October 4 had the opportunity to visit the tomb of Pharaoh Amenhotep III , located west of the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Over the past two decades, this structure has undergone a three-phase restoration project led by the Japanese government, AP reported.
The head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mohamed Ismail, said the restoration project, which took more than 20 years, was "extremely delicate, given the severe deterioration of the structure."
The tomb was discovered in 1799 and its contents were looted, including the pharaoh's sarcophagus. The lid of the sarcophagus remains and is on public display. The mummy of pharaoh Amenhotep III was moved by priests in ancient times to the tomb of his grandfather, pharaoh Amenhotep II, also in the Valley of the Kings.
The entrance to the tomb is 36 m long and 14 m deep, sloping down below the Valley of the Kings. It includes a main burial chamber for Pharaoh Amenhotep III and two others for his wives.
Amenhotep III's tomb is believed to have less decoration than other ancient tombs in the valley. The paintings depict pharaoh Amenhotep III and Egyptian gods.
Amenhotep III was one of the most prominent pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty of ancient Egypt, which lasted from 1550 to 1292 BC. He ascended the throne at a young age and ruled the country for about 38 years.
About a month after opening the tomb of Amenhotep III, Egypt is scheduled to inaugurate a large Egyptian museum near the Giza pyramids on November 1. These activities are part of efforts to attract foreign visitors and revive Egyptian tourism.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
