The iconic tomb of Tutankhamun, discovered a century ago, is facing an unprecedented crisis. Cracks are spreading across its ceilings, rock layers are peeling due to humidity, and mural colors are fading under the relentless assault of fungi. This ancient burial site, nestled in the Valley of the Kings, is in its most fragile state since its discovery in 1922. The primary concern is a major fracture running across the ceiling of the burial chamber and entrance, allowing rainwater to seep inside. The Esna shale rock, a key component of the tomb's construction, is expanding and contracting with changes in humidity, posing a significant risk of deformation and collapse. This is further exacerbated by the Valley of the Kings' location west of Luxor, where sudden flash floods have periodically eroded the royal tombs carved deep into the mountains. In 1994, a catastrophic flood submerged the valley, causing silt-laden water to erode rock layers and sharply increase humidity levels within the tombs, leading to fungal growth that damaged precious paintings and murals. The structural integrity of Tutankhamun's tomb is now compromised, with Professor Sayed Hemeda noting that the 1994 flood was a turning point, allowing water ingress, raising humidity, and triggering fungal growth that ravaged the wall paintings. Dr. Hemeda's study recommends minimizing humidity fluctuations to preserve the tomb by regulating its internal environment and implementing a focused programme of reinforcement and conservation. The tomb, designated KV62 among Egyptologists, remains one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. It was discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter on November 4, 1922, hidden behind a modest entrance, buried among the debris of other tombs. Smaller than the usual royal tombs of the 18th Dynasty, it is believed to have been hastily repurposed following the young pharaoh's sudden death. The tomb consists of four main chambers: the entrance, an antechamber with furniture and chariots, a burial chamber holding three nested coffins, and a treasury that once housed 5,000 artefacts, including the famous golden mask and gilded statues. However, the Valley of the Kings itself is vulnerable to periodic flash floods that create cavities and sometimes fill with water, damaging the wall paintings. The surrounding mountains also suffer from extensive fissures, posing the risk of large rock masses detaching and collapsing onto adjacent tombs. Professor Mohamed Atia Hawash warns that Tutankhamun's tomb is not the only site at risk, serving as a stark warning that action must be taken before it's too late. The area, despite being part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ancient Thebes and its Necropolis, remains far from secure, raising urgent questions about the absence of risk management plans and the inaction of responsible authorities. Professor Hawash's research highlights the need for practical solutions, such as reducing the load on the mountain above the tomb or installing removable internal supports to preserve the site's character while preventing potential collapse. Emad Mahdi, a member of the Egyptian Archaeologists' Union, calls for a high-level expert committee to analyse the site geologically and archaeologically, assess the impact on wall inscriptions, develop a precise risk profile, and prepare an urgent report for the highest authorities to enable swift action to save the tomb.
