Mustafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities said that a restoration team from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, in cooperation with a number of scholars, completed the restoration of nearly 60% of the first column of the Great Hypostyle Hall at the Karnak Temple.
The restoration work, which would include the rest of the hall, aims to show the columns original colors, and treat the effects caused by erosion factors.
Waziri explained that the ongoing restoration work will start with the column's papyrus umbel capitals in the first stage, then the rest of the column in a second phase, in preparation for the imminent opening of the Rams avenue development project in a major celebration.
On his part, Gharib Sonbol, restoration and preservation advisor at the SCA, indicated that the restoration work is now underway to remove dust and treat the effects of erosion factors on the 134 columns, each of which is about 20 meters high.
In addition to restoring and showing the decorations and hieroglyphic writings clearly, Sonbol pointed out that the restoration work also include the statue of King Thutmose II located in the eighth pylon in the Karnak temple.
He added that a project to restore the Grand colonnade in Luxor Temple is also underway, stressing that the works are based on accurate scientific studies carried out by the team to find out the most appropriate methods of restoration.
Follow the latest news on Google News
