Despite a flurry of archaeological discoveries in the past year—a pristine sarcophagus; a trove of cat mummies, and the world’s oldest cheese—this was “one of a kind in the last decade” authorities said, due to the tomb’s excellent condition. At nearly nine feet (2.7 meters) tall and 32 feet (9.6 meters) wide, its walls are richly decorated with colorful hieroglyphs, guarded by an army of some 45 statues, depicting various pharaohs, the priest, and his family. [...]
But the snap-happy crowds of yesteryear have faded of late, amid fears of violence triggered by 2011’s uprising against former Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak. Ongoing political tensions, as well as a spate of terrorist attacks targeting tourist areas, have dissuaded international visitors from making the trip.
Whether this new discovery can allay those concerns, and bring back Egyptian’s foreign vacationers, remains to be seen—though cash-strapped authorities are keeping their fingers crossed. Sign up for the Quartz Obsession email Enter your email Sign me up Stay updated about Quartz products and events.
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