Karnak complex upgrading process continues unabated
Egypt, History, 3/21/2002

Egyptian Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni paid an inspection visit to a number of archaeological sites in Luxor which are being upgraded at present. Among the most important is the restoration project of the third storey of Hetshepsut Temple, west Luxor.

The project that has started forty years ago in cooperation with a Polish mission includes the restoration of the paintings and inscriptions on the wall and revealing the name of Hetshepsut which has been wiped out or damaged at the hands of Tohotmos III 3500 years ago in the course of their conflict over ruling the country.

The entrance of the temple will be upgraded while wooden sheds will be installed in the vicinity of the temple in order to explain to the visitors features of the temple before visiting it.

The minister also inspected the l40 metre long tomb of King Hor Moheb, considered among the longest and most beautiful royal tombs in the Valley of Kings . The murals of the tomb are being cleaned and restored while the floor has been tiled with wooden bars.

The minister's tour included the temple of king Merinbetah, the l3th son of Ramsis II who succeeded his father. The temple is also so beautiful and will include an outdoor museum to display the artifacts unearthed on the sites while carrying out restoration in collaboration with a Swiss team.

The minister also moved to the temple of Aminhoteb III, grandfather of King Tut who is dubbed as Pasha of Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs owing to the flourishing of art in his reign.

Excavations accompanying the restoration project revealed a number of colossal statues for king Emenhoteb III which are being restored to be placed in their original position at the temple which dates back to the l8th dynasty.The project is due to be completed within two years.

At the end of his tour Mr Hosni paid a field visit to the site of the Red Shrine of Queen Hetshepsut at the Karnak Temple which is being prepared to serve as an open museum for royal shrines, the most important of which are those of kings Seti I, Ramsis III and Snosert.

Previous Stories:
  Mameluk antiquities represent Egypt in museums without borders project   (3/14/2002)
  Russian archaeologists possibly nearing Menf   (3/9/2002)
  Merenptah temple in Luxor receives visitors after 9-year restoration   (3/9/2002)

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