Egypt Inaugurates Tomb of King Amenhotep III After Restoration

Today, Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, inaugurated the tomb of King Amenhotep III in the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s West Bank. He was accompanied by Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities; Dr. Hisham Abu Zeid, Deputy Governor of Luxor; and Dr. Nuria Sanz, Director of UNESCO’s Regional Office in Cairo. The opening was also attended by Eng. Ahmed Youssef, Assistant Minister for Strategy and Acting CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, and Mr. Mohamed Ayoub, Chairman of the Chamber of Hotel Establishments.

The inauguration comes after the completion of a more than 20-year-long restoration project, “The Conservation of the Wall Paintings in the Tomb of King Amenhotep III”, carried out by the Supreme Council of Antiquities in cooperation with Waseda and Higashi Nippon Universities of Japan, under the auspices of UNESCO and the Japanese Trust Fund.

In his speech, Minister Sherif Fathy expressed deep appreciation for the tremendous efforts devoted to the project, extending thanks to the Japanese side and UNESCO for their valuable support. He described the restoration as an exemplary model of Egyptian-Japanese cooperation, which has flourished for decades in the field of archaeology and continues across numerous significant heritage projects.

The Minister also paid tribute to the Egyptian and Japanese conservators and experts, emphasizing that their tireless dedication over two decades represents an exceptional achievement that has restored the tomb to its original splendor for future generations. In a special moment, he invited Egyptian conservator Mohamed Mahmoud, who had worked on the project since its beginning, to the stage. Mahmoud, now retired, expressed his overwhelming joy at witnessing the culmination of more than 20 years of professional dedication.

Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled underlined the significance of the tomb, describing it as one of the most important and remarkable in the Valley of the Kings. He noted that its reopening marks a valuable addition not only to the site but also to Egypt’s cultural tourism, reinforcing its global appeal.

Dr. Nuria Sanz highlighted UNESCO’s pride in being part of this accomplishment. She stressed that the day celebrated not only the reopening of the tomb, but also the enduring partnership between UNESCO, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and the Japanese institutions. She noted that the project yielded new research into the tomb’s inscriptions and history, while also honoring King Amenhotep III, one of the greatest rulers of ancient Egypt.

The conservation project unfolded in three successive phases: the first from 2001–2004, the second from 2010–2012, and the third between 2023–2024. The international team of Egyptian, Italian, and Japanese specialists included experts in stone conservation, wall-painting preservation, architectural and civil engineering, rock stability monitoring, 3D laser scanning, and Egyptology.

During the first two phases, efforts focused on the conservation of the exquisite wall paintings decorating the walls, pillars, and ceilings of chambers E, I, and J, as well as the restoration of the king’s massive red granite sarcophagus lid. More than 200 fragments of the lid were reassembled, cleaned, and mounted on a custom-designed base. Work also included upgrading the tomb’s access stairs, lighting system, and visitor facilities.

At the entrance, new signage and interpretation panels now offer visitors insights into the tomb’s history, Amenhotep III’s reign, and the restoration project itself. A detailed plan of the tomb further enhances the visitor experience.

The tomb, originally discovered during the French expedition to Egypt in 1799 by Prosper Jollois and Édouard de Villiers du Terrage, was later fully excavated in 1915 by British archaeologist Howard Carter. Despite its early fame, the tomb’s paintings suffered severe damage in the 19th century from salt deposits and structural cracks in its pillars.

Today, after decades of meticulous restoration, the tomb once again reveals the artistic brilliance of the New Kingdom. Its walls and ceilings feature vivid depictions of the king’s journey through the afterlife alongside the gods and his father’s spirit. The burial chamber ceiling is adorned with yellow stars against a deep blue background, symbolizing the heavens, while its walls are inscribed with passages from the Book of Amduat.

Construction of the tomb is believed to have begun under King Thutmose IV, whose name was found on foundation deposits, before being completed and decorated under his son, Amenhotep III. In the 21st Dynasty, the king’s mummy was transferred to the royal cache in the tomb of Amenhotep II (KV35) for safekeeping after ancient looting. Evidence also suggests that the tomb may have been reused during the Third Intermediate Period.

The reopening of Amenhotep III’s tomb stands as a landmark achievement in cultural heritage preservation, showcasing international cooperation and Egypt’s commitment to safeguarding its ancient treasures for future generations.