The priceless tomb of Tutankhamun — one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century — is now at risk of destruction. Archaeologists have detected serious cracks spreading throughout the 3,300-year-old burial site. Rainwater seeps through the rock, damaging the ancient wall paintings and threatening the stability of the entire structure.
Experts from Cairo University, including Professor Said Hemada, report a fault line running across the ceiling of both the entrance and burial chambers. This growing network of fractures allows moisture to penetrate deeper into the limestone. Because the tomb was built in Esna shale — a type of rock that expands and contracts with humidity — these shifts could eventually lead to a complete collapse.
The decay accelerated after the floods of October 1994, when underground water filled many tombs in the Valley of the Kings, increasing humidity and encouraging fungus that damaged the wall paintings. Today, scientists fear that expanding cracks might “tear apart” the fragile structure — the walls could crumble under internal pressure.
Professor Hemada notes that a total collapse is not imminent, but the long-term survival of the tomb is uncertain. Restoration specialist Mohamed Atiya Hawash adds that nearby cliffs also show signs of cracking, which could cause landslides or rockfalls that might damage surrounding tombs.
What Tourists Should Know
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Location: Tomb KV62 in the Valley of the Kings, west bank of the Nile, opposite Luxor.
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Access: Entry requires a separate ticket from the general Valley of the Kings admission.
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Tips: Arrive early or book an official tour in advance.
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Inside: Burial chamber with wall paintings and the original sarcophagus (the golden mask and treasures are in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo).
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Other sights nearby: Karnak and Luxor Temples, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon.
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Travel advice: Visit between November and March, wear light long clothing and comfortable shoes, bring water, and always ask before taking photos or haggling in markets.
