LUXOR, Oct 4: In a moment of immense cultural and historical significance, Egypt today reopened the magnificent tomb of Pharaoh Amenhotep III ,one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful and influential rulers, to visitors after more than 20 years of meticulous restoration. The reopening, in the southern city of Luxor, marks a major milestone in Egypt’s ongoing efforts to preserve its rich pharaonic heritage and comes just weeks ahead of the much-anticipated inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids on November 1.
The tomb of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful and influential rulers, stands as a monumental testament to the grandeur and sophistication of the 18th Dynasty. Located on the western bank of the Nile in Luxor’s renowned Valley of the Kings, the tomb dates back to between 1390 BC and 1350 BC, a period often regarded as a golden age of Egyptian civilization. Discovered in 1799, the tomb was plundered of its treasures, including the sarcophagus, yet it remains one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world. After more than two decades of meticulous Japanese-led restoration, it has reopened to visitors, showcasing intricate wall paintings and inscriptions depicting Amenhotep III alongside Egyptian deities and scenes from the Book of the Dead, guiding the pharaoh’s soul through the afterlife. The tomb’s architectural design is equally remarkable, featuring a 36-metre-long sloping passageway leading to a grand burial chamber and adjoining chambers for his wives, Queens Tiye and Sitamun. Although Amenhotep III’s mummy was later relocated by ancient priests to protect it from tomb robbers, it now resides in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation. The restored tomb stands as a powerful reminder of Egypt’s enduring cultural and historical legacy.
The tomb’s reopening follows an ambitious Japanese-led restoration project that spanned more than two decades and was completed in three phases. According to Mohamed Ismail, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the restoration involved delicate conservation work, including the stabilization of structures and the meticulous cleaning and revival of wall paintings depicting Amenhotep III and his royal consort, Queen Tiye. “It is a very fascinating tomb,” Ismail told the Associated Press. “It still contains the frame of the stolen sarcophagus box, with the lid carefully placed where it would once have rested.”
The tomb begins with an impressive 36-meter-long and 14-meter-deep sloping passageway carved into the rock beneath the Valley of the Kings. It leads to a grand burial chamber for the pharaoh himself, as well as two adjoining chambers believed to have been prepared for his wives, Queens Tiye and Sitamun. Unlike many other royal tombs in the valley, this tomb was never fully decorated, yet the existing artwork is of immense cultural value. The walls depict Amenhotep III in the company of various Egyptian deities, while inscriptions from the Book of the Dead, a sacred collection of spells guiding the soul through the afterlife, adorn the burial chamber.
Although Amenhotep III’s mummy was removed from this tomb by ancient priests to protect it from tomb robbers and reburied in the tomb of his grandfather Amenhotep II, it survives to this day. Severely damaged but preserved, the mummy is now displayed at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation in Cairo alongside those of 16 other pharaohs and queens.
The reopening of Amenhotep III’s tomb is expected to become a major attraction for visitors and Egyptologists alike, further enriching Luxor’s appeal as a global heritage destination. It is also a key part of Egypt’s broader cultural revival and tourism strategy aimed at restoring the sector to pre-2011 levels. Tourism, a cornerstone of Egypt’s economy and a major source of foreign exchange, has faced significant challenges in the years following the political upheaval and unrest of the Arab Spring.
Officials say that combining the reopening of historic sites like Amenhotep III’s tomb with the upcoming launch of the Grand Egyptian Museum set to become the largest archaeological museum in the world will reinvigorate global interest in Egypt’s ancient past. These initiatives, they add, are not just about preserving history but also about telling Egypt’s story anew to the world, reaffirming its place as the cradle of one of humanity’s greatest civilizations.