A nine-year project has concluded, conserving King Tutankhamun's tomb for future generations to enjoy.<br />Clearly visible in this painting in Tutankhamun's burial chamber are brown dots of microbial growth. The painting shows King Tut with various deities. He stands before Hathor, goddess of the West, while behind the king stands Anubis, the embalmer god.
A nine-year project has concluded, conserving King Tutankhamun's tomb for future generations to enjoy.
Clearly visible in this painting in Tutankhamun's burial chamber are brown dots of microbial growth. The painting shows King Tut with various deities. He stands before Hathor, goddess of the West, while behind the king stands Anubis, the embalmer god.
Courtesy of J. Paul Getty Trust
They found the growths were dead, and probably grew soon after the paintings were created.
They found the growths were dead, and probably grew soon after the paintings were created.
Courtesy of J. Paul Getty Trust
In an effort to protect the real tomb, a replica was built in 2014. Pictured, the interior of the facsimile of the Tomb taken from the viewing gallery. Photo©Ferdinand Saumarez Smith
In an effort to protect the real tomb, a replica was built in 2014. Pictured, the interior of the facsimile of the Tomb taken from the viewing gallery. Photo©Ferdinand Saumarez Smith
Courtesy of Factum Arte/Ferdinand Saumarez
This wall painting depicts three separate scenes. On the right, Ay, Tutankhamun's successor, performs the "opening of the mouth" ceremony on Tutankhamun, who is depicted as Osiris, lord of the underworld. In the middle scene, Tutankhamun, dressed in the costume of the living king, is welcomed into the realm of the gods by the goddess Nut. On the left, Tutankhamun, followed by his ka (spirit twin), is embraced by Osiris.
This wall painting depicts three separate scenes. On the right, Ay, Tutankhamun's successor, performs the "opening of the mouth" ceremony on Tutankhamun, who is depicted as Osiris, lord of the underworld. In the middle scene, Tutankhamun, dressed in the costume of the living king, is welcomed into the realm of the gods by the goddess Nut. On the left, Tutankhamun, followed by his ka (spirit twin), is embraced by Osiris.
Courtesy of J. Paul Getty Trust
The burial chamber's west wall depicts an extract from the Book of Amduat or "What is in the Underworld." The lower compartments depict 12 baboon-deities, representing the 12 hours of the night through which the sun travels before its rebirth at dawn.
The burial chamber's west wall depicts an extract from the Book of Amduat or "What is in the Underworld." The lower compartments depict 12 baboon-deities, representing the 12 hours of the night through which the sun travels before its rebirth at dawn.
Courtesy of J. Paul Getty Trust
Undertaking a visual examination of the wall painting in the burial chamber in February 2009. Scientists compared photographs taken in the 1920s with the current condition of the paintings, showing there was no change in the spots.
Undertaking a visual examination of the wall painting in the burial chamber in February 2009. Scientists compared photographs taken in the 1920s with the current condition of the paintings, showing there was no change in the spots.
Courtesy of J. Paul Getty Trust
The tomb remained open during the conservation and tourists were able to view the work and ask the researchers questions.<br />
The tomb remained open during the conservation and tourists were able to view the work and ask the researchers questions.
Courtesy of J. Paul Getty Trust
A new viewing platform has been installed in the tomb of Tutankhamun, to protect it from tourists..
A new viewing platform has been installed in the tomb of Tutankhamun, to protect it from tourists..
Courtesy of J. Paul Getty Trust
Environment monitoring outside the burial chamber of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Environment monitoring outside the burial chamber of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Courtesy of J. Paul Getty Trust