cracks worry Egyptian researchers

While the Egyptian government inaugurates the Grand Egyptian Museum, a study published in October 2025 by Professor Sayed Hemeda, of Cairo University, in the scientific journal Heritage Science, warns of a risk of collapse of the tomb of Tutankhamun located in the Valley of the Kings, in Luxor. The researcher claims that major cracks cross the ceiling of the antechamber and the burial chamber, allowing the infiltration of rainwater which weakens the already unstable rock.

Geotechnical modeling shows that the resistance of the rock layers forming the ceiling drops as soon as a certain humidity level is reached. A fault runs through the tomb and the ceilings of the two main rooms, favoring water infiltration and compromising the structural stability of the whole. “There are current and future risks that will affect the structural safety of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the long term, and the tomb may not survive for thousands of years in its current state”warns Sayed Hemeda.

The causes identified date back to the major flood of November 1994, caused by heavy rains and storms. This flood damaged and flooded many tombs in the Valley of the Kings, including that of Tutankhamun. Recent flash floods, exacerbated by climate change, contribute to the activation of movements along faults. Water infiltration reduces the bearing capacity of rock layers, accelerating the detachment of crusts and surface layers from ceilings. It also increases the humidity level, favoring the appearance of mold.

The study recommends a targeted strengthening program. One of the key elements is reducing humidity fluctuations. The authors also propose the installation of internal supports that would maintain the historical integrity of the site while preventing collapse, as well as reducing the load exerted by the mountain on the tomb.

If these recommendations are not followed, the consequences would be serious. Professor Mohamed Atia Hawash, from the Faculty of Archeology at Cairo University, warns that“A disaster could strike at any moment, and if we are to preserve the Valley of the Kings, action must be taken before it is too late”. He emphasizes that “we have the capacity to scientifically monitor risks, but the absence of a culture of prevention means that we only react after a disaster occurs”. Emad Mahdi, member of the Union of Egyptian Archaeologists, calls for the immediate formation of a “high-level expert committee to analyze the site geologically and archaeologically, assess the impact on the wall inscriptions, develop an accurate risk profile and prepare an urgent report for the highest authorities to enable rapid action to save it”.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has categorically denied information relayed by foreign media concerning the risks of collapse. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, says the tomb is in a good state of conservation and poses no risk to its stability or the integrity of its wall paintings. According to the ministry, scientific examinations and recent studies conducted by the Getty Conservation Institute have proven that no further deterioration has occurred in the tomb since its discovery in November 1922, and that the cracks visible on the walls have been unchanged for more than a hundred years.

Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered on November 4, 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter. The young pharaoh, who reigned from approximately 1332 to 1323 BCE, during the Eighteenth Dynasty, ascended the throne around the age of eight or nine and died at eighteen. Tomb KV62 has four main chambers housing approximately 5,000 artifacts, including the famous gold funerary mask.