Tag: Valley of the kings

New lighting system at Valley of the Kings means longer visitor hours for ancient Egyptian tombs

Dr Hawass said the new lighting system will aslo provide a beautiful and a dramatic scene at night for the pedestrians walking along the Nile cornice on the east bank in Luxor Egyptian Minister of Culture, Farouk Hosni, announced that with a total of 922 units the installation of the new lighting system on Luxors west bank has been completed, allowing for people to visit the tombs in the evening.

Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), said that the aim of this project is to preserve the tombs and temples located on Luxors west bank.

The thousands of tourists that daily visit the heritage site will now be distributed throughout the day, from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.

This, he continued, will reduce the level of humidity inside the tombs, which negatively affect its paintings.

The humidity and fungus generated through breath and sweat is gradually eroding the soft stone chambers, and slowly destroying the ancient paintings and carvings.

Hawass added that the new lighting system will also provide a beautiful and a dramatic scene at night for the pedestrians walking along the Nile cornice on the east bank in Luxor.

The new lighting system is one of various measures taken in a bid to preserve the tombs, which include tomb closures, and maybe even the reconstruction of a 'Replica Valley of the Kings'.

Dr. Sabri Abdel Aziz, Head of the Pharaonic Antiquities at the SCA, said that that the project included the lighting of the mountains located on the west bank, the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, the noblemens tombs, the northern side of Al-Qurna, and Hatshepsuts temple.

The project, carried out by the SCA in collaboration with Egypts Sound and Light organization and the French lighting company Architecture Lumire, had a budget of 56 millions LE about 6.2 million, or almost ten million USD.

The installation of the ‘cool lighting’ system is just one of many steps taken to preserve the royal tombs.

Dr Hawass earlier announced that, in a bid to encourage tourists to visit the less popular tombs, some of the most famous tombs in the Valley of the Kings would be closed to those on a moderate budget.

“Whoever wants to visit the original tombs of Tutankhamun, Seti I and Nefertari must pay a huge amount of money,” he commented then.

Eventually, Dr Hawass hopes to create a ‘Replica Valley’, containing identical replicas of the three tombs for tourists to visit, as with Lascaux II has been successfully done for the caves of Lascaux.

These replica tombs will be based on laser scans and high-resolution photographs of the burial chambers and sarcophagi. These would incorporate missing fragments of the tombs that are now held at foreign museums. With King Tut’s replica mummy already looking scaringly real, and Sandro Vannini’s fabulous images of the tomb paintings as examples of what can be achieved with the right combination of equipment and knowledge, I have high hopes for the reconstruction results.

Until the physical replica of KV62 is finished, you can still have a look at a 3D replica of the tomb based on Sandro Vanninis photographs using Heritage Key Virtual, or visit a ‘real life’ – and truly astonishing – replica of how Howard Carter found King Tut’s tomb, at the travelling exhibition ‘Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures’ currently visiting Manchester. Watch a preview and learn how the replicas were made in this video.

Dreaming of becoming an Archaeology Intern? Let our Zahi Hawass Videos Inspire You!

Dr Zahi Hawass is the star of new History Channel series 'Chasing Mummies', but if that's not your cup of tea, then why not watch his Heritage Key videos? Ever thought about a job that takes you across the length and breadth of Egypt, exploring the desert sands to find treasures and valuable artefacts that haven’t been touched in thousands of years?A career which gives you responsibility for some of the most famous and significant finds in history (as well as trying to get back others)?A vocation which earns you the nickname “Pharaoh” for your control over who gets to uncover the antiquities still to be found amidst the heat. And lets not forget starring in your own History Channel TV show!

Dr Zahi Hawass, the Director of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities is such the man, known in the archaeology world as “The Pharaoh” for this tough style. His TVshow “Chasing Mummies” has recieved mixed reactions, but nevertheless, it can’t be denied that Dr Hawass holds one of archaeology’s most inspiring jobs.

Though the History Channel’s take on Zahi may leave audiences confused on the amount of actual archaeology they’re learning about, Heritage Key can offer you more of an Egyptology insight from Zahi Hawass, and we have several videos and images to show it!

HD Video: The Discovery of an Intact Tomb at Saqqara (ft. Dr. Hawass)

Check out the map below to see some of our collection of videos featuring Dr Hawass as he shares his knowledge of Ancient Egypt and explores some of the tombs hidden away in the Sahara, and be inspired by the amazing treasures still being uncovered today!

The full list of Heritage Key videos featuring Dr Zahi Hawass:

You can watch Heritage Key’s full collection of videos on the Video Page, including Kathleen Martinez and her search with Dr Hawass for the Tomb of Cleopatra and Dr Janice Kamrin giving a tour of Animal Iconography in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. And see the Golden Mask and visit the Valley of the Kings, as well as much much more in Heritage Key Virtual, where you can also explore the famous Tomb of King Tutankhamun!

Meet-Up at the Valley of the Kings for Live Music

Each week we bring you musicians from around the world to perform live in our virtual destinations. Last week, we had three great musicians with a wonderful audience for more then three hours of live music. This week all our live music events will be held in the Valley of the Kings where you can also participate in an amazing contest with an unbeliveable 1,000 worth of travel with our Sponsor Addison Lee the leading car hire company in London . Now that’s a great treat! To learn more about the contest come and join us during one of our events or simply click here to learn more

Escapist Escapism is playing Monday July 5th at 9PM London time

Twinghost Ronas – Thursday 22th July 2010, 12AM London Time (4PM PDT)

Throughout his eclectic 25-years of playing, recording and producing music, Twinghost Ronas has always been a songwriter first. From the city of brotherly love, TwinGhost cut his musical teeth playing in bands spanning across all genres of music. As a signed artist in the 1980’s and 90’s, TwinGhost has released recordings under A&M and MCA records as well as many small independent labels writing, producing, recording and distributing several records and CD’s world wide of original music. His experience has made him a well seasoned artist In search of the perfect pop song.

Escape Unplugged – Friday 23th July 2010, 9PM London Time (1PM PDT)

Escape Unplugged is as much a music project as it is an avatar. A group of musicians or one musician? Played on ancient instruments or tones generated by a computer? Or both? Or all of the above? The truth is, it doesnt matter. What matters is the intent. The intention is that Escape Unplugged makes music to calm, soothe, inspire, uplift and heal the spirit. It’s music to escape to – not in a negative way, but as something to escape TO, an oasis for the spirit to drift on and swim deep into while the stresses and strains are washed away. It’s music that allows you to pause and breathe deeply for a while. Music for meditation and prayer, or to remind you to simply BE for a moment.

Saturday July 28, 2010 2am London time

Terry Lynn plays on Saturday July 10 ,2010 at 2am London time

Terry Lynn is a musician and songwriter who has been featured on National Public Radio, Clear Channel Radio, and Fox Television in Florida. Terry has won numerous awards for my vocals as well as several songwriting contests and is a published writer, and ASCAP member To listen to some of the songs visit http://www.terrylynnsongs.com http://www.myspace.com/terrylynn
What has been written about Terry on the press: Terry Lynn shows a tremendous innate understanding of the essence of compelling song writing. From her heart and mind, lyrics and melodies flow that evoke the most warmly remembered sensibilities of modern American folk. Her songs are finely crafted but have a raw quality that is delivered with intelligence and captivating emotion

“Terry Lynn is one of those gifted artists that lights up the stage….and when you listen to her velvet voice, all seems right at that moment in time.”

“This artists music paints lucid pictures of human nature for her audience. Songs like We Can Be manage to captivate the most minimal details and get to the bottom of things by singing personal, delicate, and expansive music. Conrads joins enthusiasm with a keen sense of phrasing which is something essential for a vocalistsomething she calls genuine. ” … “her two passions, words and music, would fuse together years later and make her one of the most sincere and influential songwriters today.” Yohanna de la Torre Gulf Coast Time Magazine

Meet the Driver Challenge

Meet the Driver Challenge Your chance to win 1,000 in travel with Addison Lee

Travel to Heritage Key’s virtual Valley of the Kings before the 26th of August 2010 and you could win a prize worth 1,000. In the valley, meet up with the virtual Addison Lee driver to be entered in the prize draw for 1,000 with leading car hire service Addison Lee.

But why stop there? Visit King Tut’s treasure-laden tomb, explore ancient rebel city Amarna by the Nile, and discover the wonders of ancient Egypt. King Tut’s Golden Mask is hidden in the Valley of the Kings. The locals hold the clues to the where the mask lies. Once you find it, you will earn your badge to share.

To start your quest head over to Valley of the Kings and click on the Addison Lee Driver. Complete your quest between 12th to the 26th July and get a chance to win a copy of “The Treasures of Tutankhamun“.

As you complete and earn your badge your name will be automatically entered into a draw. We will announce the winner on 27th of July on our website.

To complete the ‘Meet the Driver’ challenge:

STEP 1 – Register a freeaccount with Heritage Key
STEP2 – Choose your avatar
STEP3 – Download and install our software
STEP 4 – Log on to the virtual Valley of the Kings and click the Addison Lee driver you’ll meet there.

Start by registering your free account

By entering this competition you agree to the Terms & Conditions: Register by 26/8/10 to be automatically entered into 1,000 Addison Lee prize draw. The winner will be able to add the 1,000 credit to an existing Addison Lee account or the amount will be credited to a new account. Only one registration per user. No cash alternative. Winner will be chosen on 30/9/10. Employees of Rezzable Productions Ltd or Addison Lee and their immediate family are not eligible to win.

End of Seti I’s Tunnel Officially Reached

After more than 40 years, archaeologists have finally reached the end of the tunnel discovered in the tomb of Seti I. Hopes the tunnel would lead to the pharaoh’s secret burial site have been crushed, after the seemingly unfinished tunnel suddenly stopped after a back-breaking 174m.

Pharaoh Seti I’s tomb, which is located in the Valley of the Kings, was first discovered in 1817 by strongman-turned-archaeologist Giovanni Belzoni (watch a video about Britain’s explorers). But clearing of the tunnel, cut into the bedrock near the end of the beautifully decorated tomb, was not started until the 1960s, under the direction of Sheikh Ali Abdel-Rasoul. Yet, after taking a wrong turn and at a depth of 130 metres the effort was ceased. Conditions were too hard and excavators feared further digging could bring the tomb crashing down.

Click the image to see a larger version

In November 2007, a second mission, lead by Dr Zahi Hawass, started excavating the ‘mysterious tunnel’, using a mining car system to remove the rubble (skip down to watch the video). In addition to clearing the tunnel, the team braced walls and ceiling with metal supports and covered up the original stone staircase to prevent damaging it.

Apress release issued by Egyptian Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni, confirms earlier statements by Egyptology tsar Hawass that the team finally succeeded in completely excavating the tunnel of Seti I, which comes to an abrupt halt after 174 metres. During the excavations the team uncovered many shabtis and pottery fragments dating to the 18th Dynasty (1569-1315 BC), limestone cartouches of Seti I, and a small boat model made of faience. When the staircase was cleared the team found that three of the steps were decorated with red graffiti.

See Sandro Vannini’s photography from inside the Tomb of Seti I

First Pillared Room
The Burial Chamber
The Burial Crypt
The Crypt’s Side Chamber
The Antechamber

When Dr Hawass’ team reached the 136-metre section, which had been partially excavated by Abdel-Rasoul’s workmen, workers were shocked to uncover a large descending passage. When the passage 25.60 metres in length and 2.6 metres wide was cleared, a 54-step descending staircase was revealed.

Following the first passage, a second staircase, cut into the rock and measuring 6 meters long, was discovered.

At the beginning of this passage the team found a false door decorated with hieratic text, instructions to the workman carving out the tunnel: Move the door jamb up and make the passage wider.”

Dr. Hawass said that when he went inside the tunnel of King Seti I for the first time he noticed the walls were well-finished and that there were remains of preliminary sketches of decoration that would be placed on the walls. Unfortunately none of this was ever completed.

He added hewas very surprised to find a second staircase inside the tunnel. It appears the last step was never finished, and the tunnel ends abruptly after the second staircase.

VIDEO: Join Zahi Hawass Inside the Mysterious Tunnel in the Tomb of Seti I

Zahi Hawass takes viewers deep into the mysterious tunnel that leads from the burial chamber of ancient egyptian King Seti I. Join Hawass as he discusses his team’s work to excavate and restore the tunnel, and their hope of solving the mystery of what may lie at its end. Read the transcription of this video, or watch the latest Heritage Key video’s.

Dr Hawass earlier speculated that the tunnel could have been symbolic- a path to the hidden cave of the god Sokar – or that it would take archaeologists to the real burial chamber of the king. Yet, taking the sudden ending of the tunnel into account, he now believes that Seti I was trying to construct a secret tomb inside a tomb.

According to Dr. Hawass, the workmen and artists first finished the original tomb of Seti I (KV17) duringthe pharaoh’stwelve-year reign and then began to construct the tunnel. When the Pharaoah died, his son Ramesses II stopped the work on the tunnel and buried his father.

Dr. Hawass says it is likely Ramesses II continued where his father left off and constructed his own hidden tunnel within his tomb in the Valley of the Kings. An Egyptian mission is currently working in the tomb of Ramesses II to preserve the wall paintings, and to look for a similar tunnel to the one in the tomb of Seti I.

Win Points With Our New Virtual Worlds Quiz

Consider yourself an authority on the many ongoing projects to survey and virtually-render famous monuments and heritage sites around the world? In that case, you should score high on the new Virtual Worlds Quiz which weve just launched on Heritage Key ten questions, each pertaining to cutting-edge endeavours to research and/or digitally recreate everything from Egyptian burial chambers to ancient Mayan cities.

Compete now and, as well as bragging rights, you could win a wad of 10 site points. Fear not if you dont know your virtual Qumran from your 3D Forbidden City well give you a sporting chance by recommending some handy sites, programmes and pages on which to do some swotting-up first. Even if you are an expert, remember that only the points from your first go at the quiz count towards your site score, so its worth doing a spot of revision first if you want the full 10/10.

HK VX, Qumran on Your Desktop and French Giza

The Valley of the Kings and Tutankhamuns tomb were the first two ancient world hotspots brought to life on Heritage Key VX, and thus the perfect place to begin your quest for Virtual Worlds Quiz clues. Take a wander through the pixilated Theban landscape and pay close attention to the games you can play there. Next youll need to negotiate a few teleporters and head over first to virtual Stonehenge, followed swiftly by virtual Amarna, where theres oodles more fun to be had, not to mention answers to be found.

“Remember that only the points from your first go at the quiz count towards your site score!”

Back so soon? Well then get straight on with reading Owens fantastic interview with Dr Robert Cargill, the brains behind Virtual Qumran, where important volumes of a certain ancient world must-read were discovered in caves. After that, find out all about French software company Dassault Systemes part in a fascinating project to render in shiny 3D the entire landscape of ancient Giza. Theyve already made a head start with one particular tall, pointy monument that requires no introduction.

NASA Scanners, the Scottish 10 and the Cities Social Networking Built

This blog containing news of an Edinburgh schools pioneering online museum is your next port of call. Follow it up by discovering how NASA laser scanning technology has allowed a team of researchers to gather unprecedented quantities of data about the lost Mayan city of Caracol. While youre at it, move straight onto Marys wonderfully detailed article about the virtual reconstruction of the Forbidden City in Beijing, which has been funded by a certain major computer and technology manufacturer.

Your next destination is this interview with Historic Scotland director David Mitchell, all about the Scottish 10 teams mission to laser-scan a decade of heritage sites around the world, in their own back garden as well as such far flung locales as the United States of America. Speaking of the US of A, some enterprising technology experts there have pioneered a nifty computer programme already applied to the likes of Rome, Venice and Dubrovnik which can render entire cities simply by gathering information from a certain popular social networking website. Heres the link, you know what to do with it.

Play the Virtual Worlds Quiz and all of our other quizzes by clicking here.

Enthusiastic History Experts Needed!

Here at Heritage Key we are looking for enthusiastic history experts who can stream live lectures using our Virtual Areas. Are you are fascinated about Egypt, Stonehenge , Terracota Warriors or the Assyrian Lion Hunt? Heritage Key website and Heritage Key Virtual both create a wonderful platform to reach a wide range of enthusiasts around the world who would love to walk through the Valley of the Kings by an expert and listen to a lecture about the period. There are endless exciting opportunuties to create live events, and lectures that are to be broadcasted simultaneously on the web, on the virtual environment and later to be available as podcast. The other exciting thing is yes, you get paid to do the lecture.

A quick look at our promo video should let you know what we’re looking for: a genuine interest in the ancient world, and an ability to walk through the subject with confidence and enthusiasm.

If you are interested in for the role, just submit a video response to the promo videobelow(click the video here, then when on YouTube click on ‘Post a Video Response’ just below the video – it’s above the text comments).

We’re not looking for high-tech camera wizardry, just a personality who can show the world how great the Ancient History is. Deadline for entrants is Sunday May 30th– that’s just two weeks, well almost!

Record your video stating who you are, what’s your expertise and what would you like your topic to be in your lectures
Upload short video to youtube and leave the link in our comments
The recordings will be in our office in London
The lecturer will be paid 250 pounds for four 20 mins long lectures that are streamed live and recorded in one day max.

If you would like to find out how we found our presenter of Ancient World in London series

We are excited about these new series of Lectures and we hope you are too.

The Future of Tourism is Virtually Here

More and more of us are travelling each year, but are we getting the most for our money? I’d say probably not, but the future’s looking brighter. As the latest Ancient World in London bloggers’ challenge suggests, travel continues to buck the economic meltdown. And it’s not surprising: at a time when it takes longer to get across London by car than to fly to the far end of Europe, and for less cash, why not globetrot?

Much more of us are looking to infuse some culture into our foreign sojourns. But old-school P2P websites and shoddily slapped-together online guides are doing little to help anyone get the most out of their trips. But that’s not say the web won’t play a key role in the future of travel. The next generation of cultural guides are here already, and they’re a heap more interactive than your average Eye-Spy.

The virtual world is so much more than chatter and armchair affairs

People are beginning to realise that virtual spaces can mean a lot more than breathless chatter and armchair affairs. They can also be honed as tools to explore the world. Some may be little more than a montage of snaps roaming around the Mayan morass. But now things are a lot more advanced, and one university even offers culture vultures the chance to relive a seventh century Cambodian temple online. Today Heritage Key is pushing the virtual vanguard, offering the chance to get up close and personal with two of the ancient world’s greatest landmarks: the Valley of the Kings and Stonehenge.

Plenty of prospective explorers will still choose to pick up a book to learn about where they’re going. But visiting virtual sites means we can discover great places at our own pace, play games and interact with the online environment and dig deeper into the history and people who’ve made that spot what it is today. Of course there’s nothing quite like visiting somewhere famous in the flesh – from Angkor Wat to ancient Rome. But the future of virtual spaces means we’ll all know what we’re looking at when we get there.

Exploring the Virtual Valley of the Kings – Six New Ways to Interact with History

Location: Valley of the Kings, Heritage Key

Date: Late 1920s

Heritage Key’s Valley of the Kings is much easier to reach than the real-world Valley – simply register for a Heritage Key account, follow a few easy steps, and you’ll find yourself shortly in the Travel Hub, where you can select the teleporter to the Valley of the Kings from among a range of choices.

Experienced travelers may want to extend their visit to the Collections Gallery to see the treasures of Tutankhamun up close. You will enjoy the convenience of traveling virtually to the Valley, without the dust and expense of actual travel!

Discover the treasures of the Valley of the Kings all around you. Look, and listen, to the stories the Valley has to tell.

On entering the Valley of the Kings from the Heritage Key Virtual visitors are greeted immediately by a friendly Egyptologist, who is taking a break from excavating, documenting, and cataloguing the stunning artefacts from the tomb of Tutankhamun in order to help visitors find their way to the activities available. Tapping the Egyptologist’s shoulder elicits more information, as well as a map of the area, and a display behind him offers detailed descriptions of the main activities for all in the Valley.

Envision

Travel around the Valley of the Kings as a photographer, capturing images with antique box cameras, and enjoying the tremendous vistas. Several well-known photographers visited the area and captured scenes of the excavation, including Harry Burton. Visitors can find their own inner Burton, and those wearing the travel journal (available at the entry resource tent) will be able to flip back to review their images easily. They may be inspired to add additional photos to Heritage Key’s flickr account.

Uncover

Help Howard Carter, discoverer of the tomb of King Tutankhamun, locate missing pages from his own journal. The pages went missing on the days and in the locations that trace the path of Carter’s discovery. Finding them while wearing the travel journal ensures that you will be able to review the pages later, as well as that receive your finder’s reward from a very grateful Howard Carter.

Decode

The golden walls of King Tutankhamun’s tomb are covered in paintings that trace the path to the afterlife. Take the Decode challenge inside the tomb in order to test your knowledge about this path. This is a difficult challenge, but the rewards, including a peek at the afterlife, and a fantastic Anubis mask wearable, are well worth the effort required. Clues to this challenge are available throughout the region, in the archaeological dig sites especially.

Journey

At the Valley’s far end, a guide waits holding a tethered hot air balloon. Sit in the balloon and enjoy a selection of guided audio tours of the valley as you soar above it. At the compass rose observation station, test your knowledge against several quizzes, and add to your Heritage Key points. Then take the return balloon, on a different path across the Valley for an entirely new perspective.

Discover

Discover the treasures of the Valley of the Kings all around you. Look, and listen, to the stories the Valley has to tell. While some artefacts have already been removed to the museum in Cairo, their shadows remain and you can see where they once stood. Other artefacts are still in place, and can tell you much about Egyptian history, if you look closely.

As well, there are many side adventures, gifts for both ladies and gentlemen tucked into trunks and treasure chests, and opportunities to learn more through audio recordings, displays, and the artefacts and Egyptologists themselves.

To book your immediate trip back in time to the 1920s, and to the Valley of the Kings, where you can experience the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun for yourself, visit Heritage-Key.com now, or if you have a Heritage Key account already and wish to teleport directly to the Valley of the Kings from this web page, click here

Sandro Vannini’s Photography – The Entrance to the Tomb of King Tutankhamun (KV62)

When the entrance to the Tomb of King Tutankhamun (KV62) was discovered by the great explorer Howard Carter and his financier Lord Carnarvon, they could never have dreamed of the treasures which awaited them inside. These two men worked together to track down King Tut’s burial place, as explained in a Heritage Key video with Lord Carnarvon’s modern day ancestors the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon (Watch the Video).

Egyptology photographer Sandro Vannini has spent much of the past decade photographing the fascinating artefacts discovered inside KV62, as well as capturing the tomb itself on film. But an angle that isn’t seen very often is that of the tomb’s entrance – the path walked down numerous times by Carter and his team as they excavated arguably the greatest find in archaeology.

Sandro Vannini’s Photography

As one of the leading archaeology photographers, Sandro Vannini has honed his skills for photographing the ancient wonders of Egypt in their best light. Armed with his Canon EOS 5D, Sandro trekked the desert sands and took these images of the walk up to the Tomb of King Tutankhamun. Follow in the footsteps of Howard Carter and his team of archaeologists, not just through Sandro’s photographs, but by registering for your free Heritage Key account and exploring the Virtual Valley of the Kings in King Tut Virtual!

Sandro Vannini is of course no stranger to photographing the beauty of such tombs and treasures of Egypt, as his recent book The Lost Tombs of Thebes:Life in Paradise, authored by Dr Hawass is evidence of. You can read Sandro’s account on how he took the photographs right here on Heritage Key, as well as watching him in action in a video featuring Dr Hawass and Dr Janice Kamrin (Watch the video here), and check out his latest book – A Secret Voyage.

Don’t miss out on new treasures!

This post is part of a series focussing on amazing photographs from ancient Egypt. Keep checking back as well keep adding new images by Sandro Vannini. To make sure you don’t miss out on any of the updates, simply subscribe by email to receive notifications when new images are uploaded. For the more digitally advanced, there’s also an RSS feed with updates available.

See More Amazing Photography by Sandro

Have a look at some of the other stunning photographs by Sandro Vannini here at Heritage Key:

Ask Sandro

We’ll be sitting down with our favourite photographer for an extended chat soon, so if you have any questions for Sandro we’ll send the answers straight to you!

The Entrance to the Tomb of King Tutankhamun (KV62)

Howard Carter went searching for the Tomb of King Tutankhamun and unearthed the entrance in 1922. Upon entering the tomb, birth was given to the most famous dialogue in archaeological exploration. As Carter entered the tomb, Lord Carnarvon called “What do you see?”, Carter looked around him awestruck, and said “I see wonderful things”. The ensuing artefacts captured the public’s imagination as the world’s press scrambled to report the stunning finds.

The entrance of the tomb was saved from being raided by tomb robbers due to a collapse whilst construction of another tomb – that of Ramesses VI – was being carried out above it. The partial caving in made the entrance tunnel impassible for robbers, and meant that much of the treasures inside KV62 remained intact. Although the tomb was broken into by ancient thieves, they concentrated mainly on stealing unguents and perfumes which were easily transportable and harder to trace.

Talks of the Tomb of King Tutankhamun being closed off to the public persist, as worries about the damage being done to ancient tombs by tourism raises concerns that the ancient heritage may be lost. The tombs could disappear in between 150 and 500 years, warns Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. However, such moves as closing off the famous KV62 tomb would undoubtedly harm Egypt’s tourism, which accounts for a larger slice of their economy.

The Getty Conservation Institute also moved in on the Tomb of King Tut to look at brown spots formed on the walls of KV62. The spots have been present on the wall since discovered by Howard Carter, although they have never been analysed yet. Some people think the brown spots may be getting bigger, and suggest they may be bacteria or fungus.

Then there’s talk of a replica tomb replacing the actual tomb in order to preserve it. Although this would allow the preservation of the ancient burial site, tourists would complain about not being to experience “the real thing”. So begins something of a cache-22 situation as Egypt weighs up the cost of damage to the tombs against the potential damage to their economy if they lose tourism to the Valley of the Kings.

HDVideo: Discovering King Tut – Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter

The 8th Earl of Carnarvon, George Herbert and his wife, 8th Countess of Carnarvon, Fiona Herbert, talk to Heritage Key about their ancestor Lord Carnarvon and the archaeologist he funded, Howard Carter. They discuss the relationship between the two men and how they set about the amazing discovery of the legendary tomb of King Tutankhamun, in the Valley of the Kings.

(Click here for a transcript)

You can watch more great Heritage Key videos by going to our Video Page, as well as finding out more about Ancient Egypt on Heritage Key, as well as being able to explore the Valley of the Kings and the fascinating KV62 – King Tutankhamun’s tomb – in 3D in our exciting virtual experience! Also be sure to keep up to date on all new postings about Sandro’s photography from Egypt by subscribing to our feed, simply by entering your email address above.