Tutankhamun's Tomb .. Original and Copy

By Ali Abu Dashish and Salma Yassin

CAIRO, Jan. 8 (SEE)-Despite being considered as one of the smallest tombs in the Valley of the Kings, but Tutankhamun's tomb is rather an extremely charming one; Tourists keep flocking to the valley to visit it.

Zahi Hawass, the Egyptian archeologist, said, that it’s the rarest and most glamorous tomb worldwide, that he’s scared of the tourists’ frequent visits there.

He added, about 10 thousands tourists used to visit that tomb daily, during tourism boom.

As a result of that, Hawass stated that he had an agreement with the valley of the kings lovers’ association in Switzerland, to fund a project that implies scanning identical models for the most 3 important tombs situated in Luxor’s west bank.

These tombs are, Tutankhamun's tomb, Prince Seti I’s tomb in the valley of kings and Nefertari’s tomb in the valley of the queens.

He added that they have also managed to keep a good balance between tourism as a national income and the monuments as a great cultural heritage that must be well preserved, by piding daily visits to 3 periods of time including, morning, afternoon and evening visits.

Furthermore, the reknown archaeologist added, “We were also keen on providing lights to the west bank area to be the most marvelous place in the whole universe.”

In the same context, Hawass pointed out to the procedures taken to prevent tour guides and tourists from spending long times inside these tombs, as this affects tombs badly either because of touching scenes, or the use of flash cameras , or even their breath inside.

These factors are sufficient enough to completely destroy tombs in only 100 years.

Another achievement that Hawass explained was the fundraising done by the monuments and tombs’ preservation association ,which is located in the Valley of Kings, in order to scan an identical tomb for Tutankhamun's one, by using laser technique.

On the other hand, Hawass said ,”An agreement to build the non original tombs’ valley at the side of Howard Carter’s house, wasn’t completed because of the incomprehensible refusal of the Egyptian antiquities chairman at that time.”.

And after the objection of both the European Union members and antiquities minister, The Egyptian Architect Tarek Waly, designed tomb’s walls down the grounds to resemble Tutankhamun's one, and it’s open now.

Back to Howard Carter’s house, Hawass said that it’s been converted into a museum including Carter’s great history which implies the most important discovery during the 20th century.

He added, “We placed Carter’s office, type writer and some of his pieces of clothing in his rest house, in addition to building a bedroom, where tourists can stay there on 4th of November each year for 10 thousand dollars per night; this is devoted for renovating the Golden Pharaoh’s graveyard.

Finally, Hawass Claimed to scan both Prince Seti I’s tomb in the valley of kings and Nefertari’s tomb in the valley of the queens, besides closing the original tombs as fast as possible, while permitting tourists to visit them only for high rates, which should be devoted to renovate valley’s tombs and enhancing the current tourism situation.

He also stressed on the exact matching of the original and laser copied model tombs, that no one can ever pick one single difference between them, that’s why visits must be limited to the models, while preserving the originals as a valuable historical heritage, the same as Lascaux Caves’ case in France.