Egypt to close Tutankhamun's tomb for restorations

Cairo

The tomb of legendary boy pharaoh Tutankhamun in Egypt's Valley of the Kings will close from October for restorations, the antiquities ministry said on Sunday.

The pharaoh, who died aged 19 in 1324 BC after a reign of nine years, is best known for the treasures found in his burial chamber, which include an 11-kilogram (25-pound) solid gold funerary mask incrusted with lapis lazuli and semi-precious stones.

The authorities have decided to restore the tomb, discovered near the southern city of Luxor in 1922 by British archeologist Howard Carter, to "preserve it and protect it" as it is "one of Egypt's most important archeological sites", Antiquities Minister Mamduh al-Damati said in a statement.

"King Tutankhamun's mummy will be transferred to a secondary tomb chamber to protect it," ministry official Mohamed Afifi said.