US ambassador to Egypt: US committed to preserving Egypt's cultural heritage

CAIRO - 8 September 2019: Thomas Goldberger, acting US ambassador to Cairo, stated that the United States is committed to its partnership with the Ministry of Antiquities to preserve Egypt's cultural heritage.

Goldberger further stated that such programs contribute to the creation of permanent jobs and prosperity for Egypt. The statements were made during the opening of the tombs of the fourth priest of Amun and the table writer from the 19th and 20th dynasties.
Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri stated that the American Research Center has been cooperating in the implementation of many joint works since 2006, including reducing the level of groundwater in more than one place.

Waziri made those statements during the opening of the tombs of the fourth priest of Amun and the table writer. The cost of renovating the two graves reached LE 16 million, according to Waziri. Waziri further stated that restoration of the tombs of the fourth priest of Amun and the table-writer began in 2015 and ended in 2017. He explained that during the two years, nearly 300 Egyptian restorers were trained by the American Research Center.

In addition, the secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities clarified that both tombs have been documented using drawings and photography, identifying the damaged parts, followed by initial restoration. Mechanical cleaning and chemical recycling of soot and bird droppings were also carried out. The final strengthening was then followed by the process of assembling the missing parts of the cemetery.