EGYPT: QUEEN NEFERTARI TOMB IS OPENED TO VISITORS

(5 Nov 1995) English/Nat

Egypt has opened up another of its historic secrets to the public.

Visitors are now being allowed to inspect the tomb of Queen Nefertari for the first time since its discovery in 1904.

However, much as it might delight the public, it is a cause of concern among Egyptologists who fear damage to its fragile artwork.

The tomb of Nefertari was discovered inside a mountain in the Valley of Queens, traditional burial grounds for women members of the royal family.

Nefertari was the most beloved wife of King Ramses the Second who ruled Egypt from 1304 B-C to 1236 B-C.

She was given a number of titles which reflect her important role: Wife of God, One With A Pretty Face, Lady of Land And Sky and First Lady.

The tomb is distinguished for its wall-to-wall paintings.

Its cracked and dilapidated paintings have undergone extensive restoration, sponsored by the Getty Conservation Institute in California.

The work involved cleaning and polishing the paintings.

As a result, the colours remain true to their state on the day they were painted, more than three-thousand years ago.

The tomb was opened by Abdel-Halim Noureddin, chairman of the Higher Council for Antiquities.

But the decision to open the tomb has caused controversy among experts.

They say that humidity inside the tomb from visitors' breath could make the paintings fade and loosen the fragile plaster beneath them.

Some even suggested those interested in inspecting it could be shown a video instead.

However, the authorities argued that humidity could be controlled and the number of visitors limited to protect the art work for future generations to enjoy.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It's very exciting to be here at this tomb today, the opening day. The colours downstairs were just beautiful - very, very intensive. It's hard to believe they have not been retouched and it's just been an exciting moment to realise how very, very old these are."
SUPER CAPTION: VOXPOP, Tourist

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It looked like it's brand new and I know that was thousands years old and the colors were just so beautiful and intense."
SUPER CAPTION: VOXPOP, Tourist

This tomb is sure to attract many more visitors to the Nile Valley wanting to inspect another of the splendours of the Ancient world.

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