City
Epaper

Egypt starts restoration of ancient King Tut's coffin

By IANS | Updated: July 23, 2019 06:00 IST

The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities has said it has started the sterilization work of the coffin of ancient Egyptian King Tutankhamun in order to restore it for the first time since it was discovered in 1922.

Open in App

The ministry said in a statement on Monday that the coffin was moved from the isolation area at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) to the wood restoration plant of the GEM to start the sterilization work in preparation for the restoration process, Xinhua reported.

Last week, the ministry announced that the gilded coffin was transferred from King Tut's cemetery in Luxor to the GEM for restoration.

According to the ministry, the initial examination showed that the gypsum layers bearing the golden layers of the coffin suffer sorts of damage.

The ministry also said that there are cracks in the golden layer in the cover and base of the coffin.

The ministry confirmed that the coffin will be restored with the latest methods and scientific techniques, noting that it will be displayed at the GEM which is due to open in 2020.

Tutankhamun, who ascended the throne at the age of nine and died at 19, is the world's best-known pharaoh of ancient Egypt. The young king ruled from 1332 BC to 1323 BC, during a period known as the New Kingdom in ancient Egypt.

He won his fame for his tomb, which was discovered by British Egyptologist Howard Carter in 1922 and has remained one of the best preserved.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: GEMEgyptHoward CarterGrand Egyptian MuseumXinhua
Open in App

Related Stories

MumbaiDomestic Onion Prices Rise Amid Concerns Over Influx of Lower-Priced Egyptian Onions

InternationalBenjamin Netanyahu Displays Two Maps at UNGA; Palestine Absent From Both (Watch Video)

InternationalMajor UK Railway Stations Hit by Cyber Attack; Network Rail Suspends Wi-Fi Service

InternationalEgypt Train Collision: 3 Dead, 49 Injured in Tragic Zagazig Incident, Rescue Teams On-site

InternationalEgypt and Jordan Dispute Israel’s Allegations of Weapon Smuggling Into Gaza

International Realted Stories

InternationalIndia-Pakistan Tensions Escalate: PAK Launches Drone and Missile Strikes After Operation Sindoor, IND Retaliates

InternationalIndia neutralised Pakistan Air Defence System in Lahore: Colonel Sofiya Qureshi

InternationalPresident Trump to announce "comprehensive" trade deal with UK

InternationalChina allegedly operating four spy bases in Cuba to monitor US

InternationalActivist Tanveer Ahmed demands Pakistani Army's immediate exit from PoJK, calls for demilitarisation, justice