Egypt Reopens Pharaoh Amenhotep III’s Restored Tomb in Valley of the Kings
Egyptian antiquities authorities have officially reopened the tomb of Pharaoh Amenhotep III in the Valley of the Kings after more than 20 years of meticulous restoration. The tomb, one of the most magnificent and historically significant burial sites in the area, had been closed to the public for over two decades. Visitors can now descend approximately 14 meters into the complex, which features a 36-meter sloped corridor leading to three interconnected chambers, including a central burial room for the king and two additional rooms for his wives, Queen Tiye and Sitamun.
Amenhotep III, a powerful ruler of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, originally had his tomb discovered in 1799 by French engineers during Napoleon’s campaign and fully excavated in 1915 by British archaeologist Howard Carter. Although the tomb was found empty due to ancient looting, its walls remain adorned with vibrant murals and sacred hieroglyphs from the "Book of the Dead," intended to guide the pharaoh safely to the afterlife. The sarcophagus frame is still visible, with its lid preserved in its original position.
The restoration project was conducted in three phases between 2001 and 2024, involving Egyptian, Japanese, and international teams. Over 260 researchers and conservation experts participated in cleaning, preserving, and repairing the damaged wall paintings, including depictions of Amenhotep III alongside Queen Tiye. Notably, the pharaoh’s mummy is not in the tomb; it was relocated by ancient priests to the tomb of his grandfather, Amenhotep II, and is now displayed at Cairo’s National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
This reopening coincides with the launch of the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza pyramids, part of Egypt’s broader strategy to boost its antiquities tourism sector. Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy highlighted the sector’s annual growth rate of 20 percent and emphasized that the restoration offers visitors a direct connection to Egypt’s illustrious history. The renewed attraction in the Valley of the Kings aims to sustain a steady flow of international tourists eager to explore Egypt’s ancient heritage.
