Egyptian Dreams

[A M Street]

I have been searching the internet for news of the closure of Tutankhamun's tomb. I cannot find anything newer than about February 2011 about this.

Given that this idea appears to have been at the instigation of Zahi Hawass together with plan for a "Valley of the Replicas" has any of this been taken up by Mustafa Amin the new head of the SCA?

Personally I have mixed feelings about such a scheme. I have had the privilege of being in Tutankhamun's tomb and as someone with a background in Archaeology did appreciate the experience. Howard Carter being one of my archaeological heroes and someone who has been sadly ignored for many years. On the other hand I do accept that these irreplaceable sites should be preserved for posterity and given the creation of acceptable replicas can see no reason for not visiting them instead. What I do find objectionable is the situation with the tomb of Nefertari, that being only accessible to the well connected/well heeled. True many of these people may well have an interest in the history of such sites but can you really see many politicians, WAGS etc. really understanding what they are looking at? That sounds terribly elitist, it is not meant to be, but I dislike the thought that such site can be opened to the highest bidder and not necessarily to those most interested in them. If tombs such as Nefertari's, Seti I's and Tutankhamun's are to be closed is it too much to ask that replicas be created to allow ordinary people to experience the wonder and beauty of what are some of the world' greatest treasures?

[kylejustin]

i can't help with tut's tomb, and i have heard of a replica being built of seti I's tomb, which i know was partly done previously under belzoni.

a few years back, nefertari's tomb was in really bad shape. the paintings were literally peeling off the walls due to salt crystals forming under the plaster. they did extensive conservation work, and even used tape to keep the paint on the walls.

i thought it would be easier to literally cut the paintings off the walls and preserve them in a museum, but the rooms designed to be like you were int he tomb itself, like the replica of seti's tomb. that way the paintings are preserved from the destruction nature can do to the valley of the kings/queens. but it is not a move people agree with.
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heaven won't take me.......hell's afraid i'll take over.....

[A M Street]

Yes I think Belzoni did create a partial copy of Seti's tomb and also a scale model that were exhibited in the Egyptian Hall in London and then in Paris. In doing so his use of wet squeezes started the damage to the reliefs that have caused the tomb to be closed.

That was in 1820/1.

I would love to explore what is the most richly decorated tomb in the Valley, a replica would do very nicely. Does anyone have any information on this?

[neseret]

[A M Street]

I agree whole-heartedly, having the replicas at Giza would greatly detract from their historical and geographic context. Besides, I have to admit that Cairo in NOT my favourite city. Last time I was there a cold I caught ended up as pleurisy, hence my bias. But Cairo is crowded, smelly, noisy and not that tourist friendly, put the replicas out at Giza, and you will have to fight your way through the crowds around the Pyramids, the new Egyptian Museum and some of the most enthusiastic touts I have ever come across.

neseret has the right of it. Have the replicas in an adjoining valley in the Theban Hills and keep the context of the tombs as close to the originals as possible.

As an aside, neseret, did you mean the Main (East) valley? As far as I know there are only a handful of tombs of any note in the West Valley i.e. WVs 22,23 and 25, Amenhotep III, Ay and possible Akhenaten. I hope to be visiting them on my trip to Luxor in a few weeks.

[Priest of Hekat]

I recall a lecture a couple of years ago at the Mummification Museum in Luxor by someone from Factum Arte. He said then that the SCA were considering using the natural contours around the Stoppelare House near the entrance to the VOK for the location of the replica tombs
Some work did occur around the Stoppelare House but then ceased.

That would make far more sense being located so near to the actual location. The Carter House being nearby would make for an interesting inclusion.

[LadyOsiris]

A replica would just numb the excitement of the experience of visiting Tutankhamun's tomb...

Though you are right, the preservation of the tomb is the number one majority it is irreplacable, so you can not take the risk of eventually destroying it...

I believe they should restrict and limit visitors to the tomb, and any other important or major tombs...

[A M Street]

[LadyOsiris]

I personally would pay any extent of price to visit King Tutankhamun's tomb! Aslong as it's not to a expensivally redicoulous cost $

They should just keep it so not many people are able to acces the tomb! Like I suppose theyre doing at this moment..
Not close the tomb completely!

There must be a way to preserve the tomb and assure it's safety, while allowing people to visit the tomb?..

[Priest of Hekat]

To be totally honest, I would not pay any extra for Tutankhamun's tomb.
It is, in fact, one of the least impressive tombs in the entire valley. It is the Carter association and the fact that it was almost intact at discovery which gives it the "must see" value for a first time visitor.
I could show you several others that are truely impressive in comparison and they are included in the standard ticket price

[Ankhesenamun]

I went to visit the tomb again a few weeks ago. I always have to visit him when I am in the Valley and am happy to spend the LE100. The extra ticket does seem to detract a lot of people from visiting and there are much more impressive tombs. Tutankhamum is one of the people that got me interested in Egyptology so I am a little biased. However, I wold not be brokenhearted if it was closed. Its preservation is far more important than that.
_________________
Do not shorten the time devoted to pleasure,
Do not lose time in daily work, once you have done what is necessary,
When your fortune is made, follow your desire,
For a fortune has no savour if one is gloomy.

Ptahhotep

[theegyptologyblogger]

i have mixed emotions about this. i would hate to see king tuts tomb closed. but i would also hate to see it destroyed. so i guess if closing it preserves it and stops it from being damaged beyond repair then thats a good thing. yet if there going to allow the elite of society to see it then it should be available for all. not just the Rich and powerful.

[Hekat]