News on the future of Tutankhamun, the ancient king still remaining on his tomb in the Valley of the Kings, have been disclosed following the visit of Egypt’s leading Antiquities authorities in Luxor. 

Earlier this week, the Minister of Antiquities, alongside Dr. Mustafa Waziri, (Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities) and Dr. Zahi Hawass, inspected the tomb of the young king. The three men discussed the possibility of installing the lid on the coffin, on its original place on the sarcophagus.

Then, during his latest visit in Luxor,  Minister El-Enany returned to the tomb of Tutankhamun; he inspected the installation of the quartzite sarcophagus of the king in the tomb.

Last Monday, Secretary General Dr. Waziri also discussed the potential transfer of Tutankhamun’s mummy. It has been proposed that, for its better preservation, the Pharaoh’s body has to be moved from his Valley of the Kings tomb to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza. However, Luxor tourism and heritage authorities have expressed their opposition to the transfer. 

Secretary General Dr. Waziri explained that there are still two options for the future of Tutankhamun’s mummy; either transfer it to the GEM or keep it in the tomb. The decision will be announced during the upcoming Twelfth International Congress of Egyptologists XII (ICE XII – Cairo, 3-8 November).

According to a press report, experts participating in the Congress will have to evaluate the two options; if they argue for the transfer to the GEM, the Standing Committee of the SCA will assess the recommendation before announcing their final approval.

In case the mummy ends up in the GEM, Waziri said it will be displayed in a hall alongside the boy-king’s treasures. Authorities have already moved to the GEM one of Tutankhamun’s golden coffins, kept in the tomb till recently.