Two-tankhamun: replica of famed tomb being installed near the original

Created and funded by Spanish-Based firm 'Factum Arte' under the supervision of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquates, the Tutankhamun facsimilie tomb will cost in excess of £410,000 to create. The large-scale facsimilie will be the most accurate facsimilie produced to date. One of the main motivations behind the creation of the facsimilie tomb is the sheer number of visitors that come to marvel at Tutankhamun's tomb each year.

The original tomb has started to deteriorate and its size was not designed to accommodate such a large influx of visitors. The facsimilie tomb will allow for conservation of the original site, which is part of an initiative to safeguard tombs of the Theban Necropolis, while giving visitors a greater insight into the history of the tomb.

The Egyptian government has also signed a protocol with the "Society of Friends of the Royal Tombs of Egypt", a Swiss-based heritage preservation group for the replication of the Pharaonic sites. The inauguration of the Tutankhamun facsimilie tomb will take place tomorrow (April 30th) and be attended b y Egyptologists, key international experts in the tourism industry, international media representatives and all Swiss Ambassadors to Egypt over the past 25 years. The event also marks the Swiss Society's 25th anniversary.

The public will then be able to view the facsimilie tomb on its public opening on May 1st. Commenting on the project, Omayma El Husseini, UK & Ireland Director, Egyptian Tourist Authority said, “Our heritage is something that gives Egypt its unique identity, preserving it through such projects is vitally important. They also ensure visitors have the opportunity to experience Pharaonic sites of significance, allowing them to stay for longer periods to fully appreciate the importance and relevance such projects as King Tutankhamun's tomb has in ancient history.”

Date Created: 29/04/2014