The two tombs are a new archaeological addition to Luxor's attractions, enhancing the visitor experience and supporting cultural tourism
Sherif Fathy: strengthening Egypt's position as a global destination for students of Egyptology and establishing a specialized training center
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy and Luxor Governor Eng. Abdel Muttalib Emara, accompanied by Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, today opened the tombs of Amenhotep, called "Rabuia" (TT416), and his son "Samut" (TT417), in the El-Khokha area on the West Bank of Luxor governorate, after the completion of restoration work and the upgrading of the surrounding site, ahead of opening them to visitors.
The opening ceremony was attended by Mohamed Osman, Head of the Cultural Tourism Marketing Committee in Luxor; Moamen Othman, Head of the Restoration, Antiquities and Museums Projects Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities; Mohamed Abdel Badie, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities; Ahmed Hemida, Head of the Museums Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities; Said Shebl, Head of the Antiquities Conservation and Registration Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities; Dr. Abdel Ghaffar Wagdy, Director General of Luxor Antiquities; Bahaa El-Din Abdel Gaber, Director General of Qurna Antiquities; Ali El-Batal, Director General of Valley of the Kings Antiquities, and a number of the area's antiquities inspectors; and Dr. Ayman Ashmawy, advisor to the Secretary-General for Egyptian, Greek and Roman Antiquities.
The minister expressed his delight at being in Luxor, amid its continuous achievements in preserving antiquities, stressing his pride in opening the two tombs after the completion of their restoration and emphasizing that safeguarding and preserving antiquities is at the top of the ministry's priorities, ensuring their sustainability for future generations.
He described the restoration project for the two tombs as "a long work journey" that began in 2015 and was crowned with success in 2026, thanking the Governor of Luxor for the fruitful coordination and full support from the governorate for the ministry's efforts, and expressing his appreciation for all those working in the tourism sector and his colleagues at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, especially at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, for what was achieved in this project.
He noted that the ministry's vision is based on consolidating Egypt's position as a leading global destination for students of Egyptology, in line with its unique civilizational richness, stressing that Egypt will remain a main center for archaeological discoveries worldwide. In this context, he explained that work is under way to establish a specialized training center offering advanced training programs that attract researchers from around the world.
Fathy stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with the private sector to operate services at archaeological sites and museums to improve the tourism experience, within a framework of clear regulations and standards that define roles and responsibilities, helping to develop services, raise the visitor experience and support increased revenues. He stressed that managing and preserving these sites remains an inherent responsibility of the ministry that cannot be relinquished, while striking the required balance between development and preserving the monuments, noting the need for clear plans and performance indicators to measure the results of this cooperation.
He pointed out that the ministry's strategy, under the slogan "Unmatched Diversity", reflects the unique assets of the Egyptian destination, stressing that achieving the target of 30 million tourists is a realistic goal that requires continued work on developing the hotel and aviation sectors, which is currently under way.
Regarding performance indicators, Sherif Fathy explained that the tourism sector grew by 15.6% in the first quarter of this year, noting that the effects of regional tensions remain relatively limited thanks to the proactive measures taken by the Egyptian state, and stressing that the ministry will continue to take further measures to accelerate the sector's recovery.
Sherif Fathy also honored the restorers who contributed to restoring the two tombs, presenting them with certificates of appreciation in recognition of their outstanding efforts and active role in completing this important project.
For his part, the Governor of Luxor welcomed attendees to the "ancient Theban Necropolis", noting that Luxor still holds many archaeological secrets, as it continuously witnesses new discoveries thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and Egyptian and foreign archaeological missions.
The Governor of Luxor added that the governorate has received many international titles, including being chosen as a capital of cultural tourism, stressing continued efforts to develop the city in a way befitting its global historical and tourism status.
He confirmed that early preparations have begun for the new tourist season starting in October, noting that next July will see the implementation of projects under the presidential initiative "Haya Karima" (Decent Life) on the West Bank, including sewage networks and lines that will help lower the groundwater level and protect archaeological areas from its dangers.
The Governor of Luxor stressed the governorate's full support for the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the antiquities sector in the governorate, with the aim of diversifying the tourism product, opening new markets and attracting more tourists to the governorate's archaeological and tourist destinations.
Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stressed that the opening of the two tombs is an important addition to the archaeological attractions, given their distinguished historical and archaeological value, noting that this reflects the importance of the Theban tombs and immortalizes the memory of their owners and their role in ancient Egyptian civilization.
He explained that the work was not limited to archaeological restoration but also included developing visitor services, including guidance and information signs, shades to protect visitors from the sun and a scientific booklet in Arabic and English, ensuring an integrated tourism experience that combines the heritage of the monument with quality services.
In the same context, Moamen Othman, Head of the Restoration, Antiquities and Museums Projects Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted that the restoration work included removing debris and uncovering important archaeological finds, reinforcing ceilings and walls, carefully restoring inscriptions and scenes, cleaning the original colors with care, installing modern lighting systems and developing the security and surveillance system.
Mohamed Abdel Badie, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the two tombs were discovered during excavations by the American Research Center in Egypt in March 2015, while searching for the entrance of the tomb of Djehuty (TT110).
He noted that the two tombs were covered with debris and had suffered major damage, and were used for mass burials in later periods up to the Byzantine era.
It is worth noting that the two tombs date to the New Kingdom: the tomb of "Rabuia" dates to the reign of King Thutmose III, while the tomb of "Samut" dates to the reign of King Thutmose IV. They follow the T-shaped architectural plan, the common style for nobles' tombs in the 18th Dynasty.
The two tombs contain a distinctive collection of scenes reflecting daily life (agriculture, harvest and crafts), bread, pottery and wine making, fishing and fowling, as well as banquet and celebration scenes in the transverse hall.
The longitudinal hall also contains funerary scenes of the tomb owner, including the coffin being dragged on a sledge, funerary furniture being carried to the tomb in the presence of Osiris and Hathor, and scenes of the "Opening of the Mouth" ritual, as well as a unique scene of the goddess Renenutet nursing a royal child, along with false door scenes and scenes honoring the ancestors.
It should be noted that excavation work resumed in September 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued until the 2021 excavation season, including removing debris, excavating shafts and initial restoration work.
