Pharaoh's tombs being 'eaten by fungus'

Aug 19, 2009, 11:00 GMT

Egypt's royal tombs could be destroyed in 150 years if they remain open to tourists.

The African nation's head of antiquities Zahi Hawass said humidity and fungus are "eating into" the walls of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings.

The site, located on the west bank of the Nile and home to Egypt's most famous pharaonic tombs, is visited by several thousand tourists a day.

Hawass claims the visitors' breath, combined with poor ventilation, is slowly destroying the ancient structures.

He said: "The tombs in the Valley of the Kings and nearby Valley of the Queens which are open to visitors are facing severe damage to both colours and the engravings.

"The levels of humidity and fungus are increasing because of the breath of visitors and this means that the tombs could disappear between 150 and 500 years."

Tombs affected by the decay include those of Tutenkhamen and Queen Nefertiti.

Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities is trying to stop the damage, restricting visiting hours and improving ventilation.

It is also closing some tombs completely, replacing them with "identical replicas".

Hawass explained: "A team of experts is currently using laser technology to examine these tombs in order to build the replicas which would then open to visitors in a place near the Valley of the Kings."