Tomb of Neferhotep: How dangerous are tourists? Interview with the restorer

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Tourists in Luxor: "Many touched everything and hardly showed any respect"

Photo: Jasmine Leung / SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty Images

SPIEGEL:

Ms. Verbeek, you and your colleagues have worked repeatedly for over 20 years in the burial chamber of the high ancient Egyptian official Neferhotep near Luxor. Now the job is done. Are you satisfied with the results of your restoration?

Verbeek:

When we first entered the grave, which is well over 3,000 years old, in 1999, it was in a shocking condition. In the early 20th century, unknown persons set fire to all the mummies that were inside. This caused a thick, greasy, resinous layer of soot to form on the walls, which was extremely stubborn. We first had to stabilize the fragile paintings that lay hidden underneath and then clean the chamber, square centimeter by square centimeter. But the effort was worth it: thanks to laser technology and funding from the Gerda Henkel Foundation, we achieved excellent results - even better than expected. In this respect I can say: Yes, we are very satisfied, and our client, the Egyptian Antiquities Administration, is too. The murals are now as beautiful as they were over 3,000 years ago.

SPIEGEL

: The grave will be opened on Sunday, after which tourists will be allowed to visit. Is this a happy day for you?

Verbeek:

I wouldn't call it that. The burial chamber, which dates back to the 18th Dynasty, was always sealed and was only opened when we were present. We know every millimeter of painting, and we have always treated everything with the utmost care. The paintings are fantastic and they must not be damaged again. But this risk is quite high.

SPIEGEL:

Why are you so pessimistic?

Verbeek:

We have also visited other burial chambers over the many years that we have been traveling to Egypt. We observed the visitors; their carelessness was sometimes shocking. Some simply leaned against the millennia-old, decorated walls with backpacks; many showed little respect. All of this was difficult for me as a restorer to bear. The idea that this could happen in Neferhotep's burial chamber is terrible. Visitors don't even have to touch anything to cause damage. Your mere presence is enough.

SPIEGEL:

Why?

Verbeek:

Mainly because of the humidity, which is inevitably increased by visitors. We took measurements at various points in the rock tomb during our work and throughout the year. This is why we know that the humidity is actually constantly low all year round and the temperature is always around 24 degrees. But as soon as there are people in the chamber who are sweaty after a long journey through the desert, things change. Added to this is the breathing air, which also increases the humidity. Overall, conditions arise where there can also be a microbiological problem with fungi and bacteria.

SPIEGEL:

Can anything be done to reduce the dangers posed by visitors?

Verbeek:

We tried to minimize the number of visitors and the length of stay through various measures. We have set up a shady seating area in the forecourt. This is intended to prevent visitors from coming into the burial chamber sweating profusely and then taking a deep breath when the temperatures are pleasant. There are also information boards on the benches, which people will hopefully read and therefore stay outside longer. We then laid the wooden floor in the grave so that all the walls can be viewed, but only a few people can walk on the designated paths at the same time.

SPIEGEL:

There is another option: simply keep the chamber closed to the general public - and set up an exact copy in the neighborhood.

Verbeek:

The Egyptian Antiquities Administration wants to open the chamber, we don't have a say in that. Of course, it's also about attracting tourists. As a restorer, I would immediately shout “Yes!” when it comes to extensive closures, especially since it is now possible to create perfect replicas. Visually there is no difference. A good example is the burial chamber of Tutankhamun, which was recreated in the immediate vicinity of the Valley of the Kings. Everything is perfect, even the sarcophagus is there. Even experts hardly see any difference.

SPIEGEL:

Doesn't the copy lack magic? Even if everything looks the same, as a visitor you are always aware that you are dealing with a “fake”.

Verbeek:

Of course it is a wonderful feeling to enter a place that was created so long ago and where artists worked thousands of years ago. I wouldn't want to close the chambers completely either. There should simply be far fewer visitors allowed in and the number of tickets would have to be limited. It is wrong to herd busloads of Hurghada beach tourists from burial chamber to burial chamber and temple to temple every day. This is often of little use to visitors and the cultural monuments are damaged.