Tomb number 65 in Valley of Kings for refurbishment
Egypt, Local, 5/3/2003

Egypt's Ministry of Culture has decided to take urgent action plan to save the tomb of Amenhotep III in the Valley of Kings.

Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Antiquities (SCA) Zahi Hawas said that a committee of experts from UNESCO and Japan have visited the site this week to assess what needs to be done in the first phase of the project.

After restorations, which will include some of the finest examples of paintings and inscriptions from the Book of the Dead/Amduat, are completed, the tomb will be open to the public for the first time since it was discovered in the early 20th century, making it the 65th site open to visitors.

When the British archaeologist Howard Carter first opened the tomb, he found fragments of the red granite lid of the sarcophagus.

The reign Amenhotep III (1390-1352 BC) marked by the high point of artistic and architectural achievement with stylised forms that were characteristic of the Amarna Era.

Lighting systems and ventilation will be installed in the chambers to preserve the paintings and the wooden flooring will prevent dust and ease movement within the tomb.

Director of Upper Egypt Antiquities Holaiel Ghali, who described the site as one of the largest in the Valley, said that there will be a second entrance to the tomb on the western side of the Valley next to the tomb of King Ai.

Amenhotep III was father of Akhnaton (1352-1336 BC), the first monotheist in history who worshipped of Aten.

The project will be financed by UNESCO.

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