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Egypt Reopens Amenhotep III’s Tomb in Luxor After Two-Decade Restoration

UNESCO praised the Japan-led conservation for meeting the highest international standards.

Visitors view the tomb of Amenhotep III, who ruled ancient Egypt between 1390 B.C. and 1350 B.C., in the Valley of Kings in the southern city of Luxor, Egypt, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, as it opened to visitors for the first time in more than two decades. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A visitor looks at the tomb of Amenhotep III, who ruled ancient Egypt between 1390 B.C. and 1350 B.C., in the Valley of Kings in the southern city of Luxor, Egypt, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, as it opened to visitors for the first time in more than two decades. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Marzena A. Ozarek, President of mummy research center, films the sarcophagus of King Amenhotep III, who ruled ancient Egypt between 1390 B.C. and 1350 B.C., at his tomb in the Valley of Kings in the southern city of Luxor, Egypt, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, as it opened to visitors for the first time in more than two decades. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Restored artifacts seen at the tomb of Amenhotep III, who ruled ancient Egypt between 1390 B.C. and 1350 B.C., in the Valley of Kings in the southern city of Luxor, Egypt, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, as it opened to visitors for the first time in more than two decades. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Overview

  • Authorities opened the Valley of the Kings site to visitors on Oct. 4, with Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy leading the unveiling.
  • The Japanese-led, three-phase program stabilized deteriorating walls and revived wall paintings over more than 20 years, according to Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.
  • UNESCO regional director Nuria Sanz said more than 260 specialists worked at the highest level of integrated conservation standards.
  • Visitors now traverse a 36-meter downward passage to a main burial chamber and adjoining rooms for Queens Tiye and Sitamun, where the massive granite sarcophagus lid remains in place.
  • Officials framed the reopening as part of a push to bolster tourism ahead of the Grand Egyptian Museum’s planned Nov. 1 inauguration, noting many original tomb objects reside in foreign collections.