Egypt reopens Amenhotep III’s tomb after two decades of restoration

Egypt has reopened the tomb of New Kingdom Pharaoh Amenhotep III in the Valley of the Kings, marking the end of a 20-year international restoration effort.

The tomb of Amenhotep III, who ruled Egypt more than 3,500 years ago, is located on the western side of the Valley of the Kings. First discovered in 1799, it was looted soon after, with its sarcophagus among the stolen artefacts.

Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, called the site “one of the most important and prominent” in the necropolis and said its reopening would be “an excellent addition” to Egypt’s cultural tourism.

The restoration, carried out in cooperation with Italian and Japanese experts, focused on conserving the tomb’s intricate wall paintings. The project unfolded in three phases between 2001 and 2024, with the final stage completed this year. Khaled said the vivid decorations and symbolic scenes inside the tomb reflect the artistic and cultural richness of Egypt’s New Kingdom era.

Amenhotep III ascended the throne as a teenager following the death of his father, Thutmose IV. His 40-year reign is often described as a golden age of stability and prosperity, during which he ruled largely from Thebes.

During the 21st Dynasty, his mummy was moved to the Royal Mummies Cache, later uncovered in 1898 in the tomb of Amenhotep II. His remains are now displayed at Cairo’s National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.

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