Luxor restores three ancient tombs to boost tourism

The project, carried out by the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), covers the tombs of Amenhotep called Rebuya (TT416), Samut (TT417) and Nakht (TT52) in the Sheikh Abd el‑Qurna area known as al‑Khokha. 

Two of the tombs, TT416 and TT417, are being prepared for public opening for the first time since their discovery in 2015, while TT52 is already accessible and has undergone new upgrades.

The three tombs, dating to the 18th Dynasty of the New Kingdom, are known for intricate scenes depicting daily life and funerary beliefs. They add fresh depth to the West Bank’s visitor circuit, long dominated by royal burials such as the Valley of the Kings.

SCA Secretary‑general Hesham el‑Leithy said the restoration teams used state‑of‑the‑art methods to stabilize fragile wall scenes, strengthen structures and mitigate damage. The aim, he added, is to strike a balance between authenticity and accessibility: protecting the tombs from deterioration while making them safe and organized for visitors.