New discovery in the Valley of the Kings

Photo courtesy: Stefan Gerke

The Minister state of Antiquities, Mohamed Ibrahim said that a new discovery in the Valley of the Kings will be announced within few days. Is it the long waited for KV64 that Dr. Zahi Hawass was talking about how close to unearth it soon for at least 3 years?

In January 2011, Dr. Zahi Hawass said “We found some indication that this tomb could be for Ankhesenamun, the Queen of Tutankhamun,”

We will keep you updated ...

 Photo courtesy: Stefan Gerke

Egypt and U.S. Partner to Launch a Groundwater Lowering Project at Temple Edfu

The Ministry of State for Antiquities (MSA) along with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) kicked-off a new groundwater lowering project at Temple Edfu in a workshop held today in Cairo.  The project will construct a drainage system to lower the groundwater level that threatens antiquities in the Edfu Temple and will be carried out over approximately 20 months.

The Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Mostafa Amin, will attend the Workshop, which has been convened to allow the partners to identify critical factors for project success, prepare action plans, and confirm roles and responsibilities for the project’s implementation.  John Pasch, Acting Productive Sector Development Office Director, will represent USAID at the workshop.

“The Egyptian government and USAID have a solid history of successful collaboration to preserve Egypt’s antiquities,” remarked USAID Mission Director Walter North.  “We look forward to the same cooperation for Temple Edfu.” 

The Government of Egypt and USAID worked together previously on a similar project in Luxor’s East and West Banks where important archeological treasures such as Karnak and Luxor temples, Medinet Habu, the Colossi of Memnon, Amenthotep III, Ramesseum, and Seti I were saved from eventual destruction due to rising groundwater levels.  In addition, a groundwater lowering project is currently being implemented for the Pyramids Plateau which is expected to be completed in April 2012.

Since 1993, USAID has provided more than $100 million to support more than 70 antiquities conservation and training projects in partnership with the Government of Egypt.