Talking Pyramids

It turns out that cameras ARE banned in the Valley of the Kings after all. Dr Hawass explains that it is impossible to stop his guards from taking bribes and allowing people to take pictures with a flash inside tombs. So he says the only solution is to ban cameras from the Valley entirely.

Even though we had allowed people to take pictures in the Valley, people continued to bribe the guards and take cameras into the tombs and use flash. So I made a decree that people could not bring cameras into the tombs. If 20 tourists would disobey this rule and use flash in the tombs, they could be damaged. When I made this rule, many tour guides were upset, but it is their job to help preserve the monuments of Egypt. Tourists are still able to take pictures in the temples, such as Karnak and Luxor Temple, but now people cannot bring their cameras into the Valley of the Kings, because then some will take pictures in the tombs. 

He also goes on to explain why he is planning to create a replica of the Valley of the Kings beside the Carter Rest House with reproductions of the tombs of Seti I, Tutankhamun and Nefertari. 

This way, people will be able to experience these amazing tombs while still preserving the original.

Some sad news today that Susan Weeks has died. Apparently she fell from the houseboat she and her husband lived in and drowned in the Nile this morning. Susan and her husband Kent Weeks are well known for their work in the area and on the Theban Mapping Project. Kent is the director and his wife Susan was the project’s artist.

Needless to say she will be missed.

Lights out and locked in: video interview with a man who recently spent the night in the pyramid of Khufu. Sleeps in the sarcophagus and tells of his experiences.

Finally, another book suggestion for a Christmas gift: Sticks, Stones, & Shadows: Building the Egyptian Pyramids, By Martin Isler:

• Christmas gift suggestion: Sticks, Stones, & Shadows: Building the Egyptian Pyramids, By Martin Isler: http://bit.ly/4ZoiPq #
• Man follows Paul Brunton and stays overnight in the Great pyramid…but can't tell it from Khafre's pyramid: http://bit.ly/80fkQ4 #
• VIDEO:Scan your museum objects in 3D:
  http://bit.ly/4Sm7ja #
• An exploration of how digital 3D visualisation can be used in archaeological site work, from Past Horizons: http://bit.ly/7Qm6Ja #
• Egypt's revenue from tourism has fallen 3.1% compared with last year’s takings: http://bit.ly/6jN7lF #
• Ancient showcases at Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, brings together Middle Eastern, Greek and Roman collections: http://bit.ly/51YwSt #
• Leena continues with her painting of Cleopatra and Caesarion with the addition of the cartouches of Caesarion: http://bit.ly/5n42Fy #
• Six Egyptology Lectures with Lucia Hahlin at Dillington House, Ilminster, Somerset in 2010: http://bit.ly/6jL98O #
• The Third British Egyptology Congress (BEC3) Sat 11 & Sun 12 Sept 2010 at the British Museum. Second call for papers: http://bit.ly/7ytakB #
• Seminar: "Egypt and the Bible" with Dr. José Lull of the Valencian Institute of Egyptology. 18, 20 and 21 January 2010: http://bit.ly/8gP8Cl #
• On the EEF wires today was the sad news that Susan Weeks has died. Memorial service will be at AUC's Oriental Hall on Tues, Dec 15th at 4 pm #
• Dr Zahi Hawass explains why cameras are indeed banned in the Valley of the Kings – dishonest guards: http://bit.ly/7i8voE #

Photo of Dr Zahi Hawass by Hajor. Some rights reserved

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