Egypt reopens ancient tomb of Pharaoh Amenhotep III
Restored royal burial site returns to visitors after decades, strengthening Egypt's expanding cultural tourism and heritage preservation efforts
LUXOR, Egypt (MNTV) — Egypt has reopened the 3,400-year-old tomb of Pharaoh Amenhotep III to visitors following more than two decades of restoration, adding another major attraction to the country’s growing cultural tourism sector.
Located near Luxor, the royal tomb had remained closed to the public for over 20 years while Egyptian and international experts carried out extensive conservation work to preserve its fragile artwork and ancient inscriptions, according to Futura Sciences.
Amenhotep III ruled Egypt for nearly 38 years during the 18th Dynasty, from around 1390 to 1350 BCE, a period widely regarded as one of the civilization’s most prosperous eras.
His reign is remembered for monumental construction projects, including the Colossi of Memnon, which still stand near Luxor today.
Although the tomb was rediscovered during Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign in 1799 and later excavated by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1915, archaeologists found it had been looted in antiquity, leaving the burial chamber without its treasures.
Despite the loss of its artifacts, the site retains well-preserved wall paintings, religious inscriptions from the Book of the Dead and the stone structure that once housed the king’s sarcophagus.
The restoration project was carried out between 2001 and 2024 through cooperation involving Egyptian, Japanese and other international specialists working alongside UNESCO.
Conservation teams stabilized damaged artwork and restored decorative scenes depicting Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye.
The burial complex features a 36-meter descending corridor leading to three interconnected chambers intended for the king and members of the royal family.
The walls are decorated with scenes of the pharaoh among ancient Egyptian deities and inscriptions associated with the afterlife.
The king’s mummy is no longer housed in the tomb. It was relocated in antiquity for protection and is now displayed at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo.
The reopening comes as Egypt continues to expand its tourism offerings following the launch of the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza pyramids.
Officials hope restored heritage sites such as the tomb of Amenhotep III will attract increasing numbers of international visitors and further strengthen the country’s tourism industry.
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