Tut-Tut … Replica of Pharaoh's Tomb Hailed a Landmark in Conservation
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Section:GDN BE PaGe:23 Edition Date:131004 Edition:03 Zone: Sent at 4/10/2013 0:20 cYanmaGentaYellowblack The Guardian | Friday 4 October 2013 *** 23 International Tut-Tut … replica of pharaoh’s tomb hailed a landmark in conservation PHOTOGRAPH: KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES Facsimile in Luxor will prolong life of original Test of balance between archaeology and tourism Patrick Kingsley Cairo An exact replica of the tomb of Tut- ankhamun is set to be installed near the 3,000-year-old original, in what one of the world’s leading Egyptologists has called a revolutionary development in Egyptian archaeological conservation. Offi cials hope the £420,000 project will prolong the life of the original while pro- moting a new model of sustainable tour- ism and research in a country where many pharaonic sites are under severe threat. Tutankhamun’s tomb is one of 63 burial sites in Luxor’s Valley of the Kings . After years of visitors, some have had to close due to damage while others – such as Tut- ankhamun’s – are under threat, with res- toration eff orts likely to make the problem worse. “The attempt to fi x the tombs to make them visitable is itself now the largest long-term risk to the tombs,” said Adam Lowe, whose Spanish-based fi rm Factum Arte led and funded the creation of the tomb’s replica under the supervision of Egypt’s supreme council of antiquities. The project aims to divert visitors away from the threatened original while still giving them the chance to experience what it is like inside. The process could be used to give visitors the chance to experi- ence other sites that are too fragile ever to be opened again. “It’s revolutionary,” said Kent Weeks, a leading Egyptologist who has been researching pharaonic sites since the 1960s. “It’s not just a way of protecting the tomb of Tutankhamun, but it’s a test case, a model that could be used to protect other sites across the country.” The project’s leaders acknowledge that visiting a replica will sound less appeal- Tutankhamun’s gold death mask at the “It’s a long-term plan that will put Egyp- ing to many than seeing the real thing. But Egyptian museum in Cairo. His tomb in tians in charge of documenting their own they hope the facsimile, which is indis- the Valley of the Kings is under threat heritage. With this technology, they’ll be cernible from the original, will give visi- from tourism. Below, archaeologist able to scan any of their sites. In terms of tors a better understanding of the tomb. Howard Carter at the tomb in 1923 building a database, it’s a godsend, and it The original version can only be visited could safeguard not just the Valley of the for short periods at a time, making it more Kings, but all of Egypt’s heritage sites.” difficult to appreciate. But the sturdier The facsimile is said to be one of the replica will be able to accommodate more most sophisticated replicas ever made. people for longer periods . Its creation involved measuring 100 mil- “The challenge is to get people to visit lion points in every square metre of the the facsimile and say: my god, I can’t original tomb. Factum Arte used laser tell the difference – and what’s more, scanners to capture the texture, shape and there are things I can experience in the colours of the tomb, before reproducing facsimile that I can’t in the original,” said it with machine-operated blades, some Lowe. “We want people going to both, and with a width of less than two-tenths of a tweeting and blogging and saying: this is millimetre. a very interesting moment in the history The process builds on that used to of conservation, we understand the prob- make replicas of fragile caves in southern lem, and the facsimile is better than the France , and a high-resolution facsimile of original.” Veronese’s Wedding at Cana. With tourism decimated since the oust- The tomb’s replica will be installed near ing of Mohamed Morsi as president in July, the Luxor home of the legendary Egyp- Egyptian authorities hope the new tomb tologist Howard Carter. The installation will help bring visitors back to Luxor. is scheduled to start in December. “This is the first build in the Valley “There are a lot of arguments between of the Kings for 3,000 years,” said Nigel conservators and tourism experts about Hetherington, co-author of a book about whether replicas will help or hinder tour- the area. “We are essentially replicating a ism,” said Weeks . “But we should be able pharaoh’s tomb for the fi rst time ever.” to show that there is no confl ict between He said that if was replicated across the economic needs of the country and Egypt’s many other historical sites , many conservation needs of the tombs. One of which are under threat from looting can make a much more meaningful visit and decay, the project could have other to the replica than one ever could to the far-reaching benefi ts. original.” Woman shot dead after Washington car chase Dan Roberts Washington suspension of business in the House of building across the street. Police ordered Representatives, where lawmakers were Casey and nearby tourists to crouch debating the government shutdown. behind a car for protection, then hustled A woman with a young child in her car The incident began at about 2.10pm ET everyone into the Capitol, according to attempted to breach a White House check- when the woman attempted to get past the Associated Press. point yesterday, prompting a high-speed an outer security checkpoint at the White Cathy Lanier, chief of the Metropoli- chase through the streets of Washing- House. She was challenged by secret serv- tan police department in Washington, ton that ended near the US Capitol when ice offi cers, and a police chase ensued. At said the incident was not an accident and police shot her dead. one point, police cars surrounded the that the suspect attempted to breach two Government buildings on Capitol Hill vehicle but the woman reversed into one security barriers. This was a lengthy pur- were placed on lockdown and members of of them and drove off again. The chase suit,” Lanier said. Congress sheltered in their offi ces as the eventually ended 1.7 miles from the White Capitol police chief Kim Dine said the incident unfolded. House, near the US Capitol, where the two scenes were quickly secured after a Capitol police said the woman was woman was shot. short security lockdown meant hundreds chased between the two centres of gov- Witnesses reported hearing several of government staff were told to “shelter ernment, striking a police vehicle shortly “loud bangs” outside the Capitol complex. in place”. He told reporters on Capitol Hill: before she was stopped. Offi cers shot the Video later emerged of a black car being “We have no information that this was woman dead. The one-year-old child was chased at speed around the heavily- related to terrorism or is anything other unhurt. guarded roads close to the US Senate than an isolated incident.” Less than three weeks after a fatal buildings. He confirmed that a Capitol police shooting at the nearby navy yard left 12 “We heard three, four, fi ve pops,” said offi cer was hurt. The injured offi cer was dead, the incident put security forces Senator Bob Casey, a Democrat who was evacuated by a helicopter which landed on full alert and led to the temporary walking from the Capitol to an office on the lawn in front of Congress. .