Tutankhamun exhibition to come to the UK!

The glittering treasures retrieved from the tomb of the young pharaoh Tutankhamun seized the public imagination when they were first transported to London from the Valley of the Kings.

Now, under pressure to raise funds to protect other sites in the Valley of the Kings, near Luxor, the Egyptian authorities have agreed to release a further 50 items from the tomb, which have not previously been shown in Britain.   There will also be 80 other objects from royal graves of the 18th dynasty (1555BC-1305BC.)   Zahi Hawass, secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, said: “Tutankhamun is back, giving a new generation the chance to learn first-hand about the life and magic of this ancient monarch.”

[More]   The Sunday Times, UK, January 23, 2005.

A team of Japanese researchers from Waseda University's Institute of Egyptology has found a mummy believed to be almost 3,800 years old at an archaeological site in Egypt, university officials have announced.

The mummy, thought to be about 3,750 years old, was found at a site in Dahashur North in Egypt. Researchers said it was found in good condition, and is believed to be one of the oldest mummies not to have been plundered or damaged...

[More]   Mainichi Daily News, Japan, January 22, 2005.

Also Japanese find undamaged mummy in Egypt, Big News Network, 23rd January, 2005.

The Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) decided to seek help of world experts to move Ramses II Statue from the Ramses square, downtown Cairo, to a new location in Meit Rahina.

The expertise of the world experts will guarantee secure moving of the statue, said Zhai Hawass, the SCA Secretary General.

[More], Egypt State Information Service, Egypt, January 23, 2005.