The Valley of the Kings: A Site Management Handbook

by Kent R. Weeks, Nigel J. Hetherington

Overview

During the New Kingdom (c. 1570-1070 BCE), the Valley of the Kings was the burial place of Egypt's pharaohs, including such powerful and famous rulers as Amenhotep III, Rameses II, and Tutankhamen. They were buried here in large and beautifully decorated tombs that have become among the country's most visited archaeological sites. The tourists contribute millions of badly needed dollars to Egypt's economy. But because of inadequate planning, these same visitors are destroying the very tombs they come to see. Crowding, pollution, changes in the tombs' air quality, ever-growing tourist infrastructure-all pose serious threats to the Valley's survival. This volume, the result of twenty-five years of work by the Theban Mapping Project at the American University in Cairo, traces the history of the Valley of the Kings and offers specific proposals to manage the site and protect its fragile contents. At the same time, it recognizes the need to provide a positive experience for the thousands of visitors who flock here daily. This is the first major management plan developed for any Egyptian archaeological site, and as its proposals are implemented, they offer a replicable model for archaeologists, conservators, and site managers throughout Egypt and the region. Published in both English and Arabic editions and supported by the World Monuments Fund, this critical study will help to ensure the survival of Egypt's patrimony in a manner compatible with the country's heavy reliance on tourism income.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781617975721
Publisher:	American University in Cairo Press, The
Publication date:	03/01/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	62 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Kent R. Weeks is professor emeritus of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo and director of the Theban Mapping Project. Nigel J. Hetherington is an archaeologist and television producer and the owner and founder of Past Preservers. He is a graduate of the Institute of Archaeology, University College London and a specialist in tourism and heritage management.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Site Site Definition: Thebes and Modern Luxor Site Definition: The West Bank Site Definition: The Valley of the Kings Historical Development of KV Current Risk Factors The Natural Environment Human Activity Summary of KV Risk Factors Tourism and KV Tourism in Egypt Tourism in Luxor Tourism in KV Stakeholder Surveys Stakeholder Survey Stage One-KV Site Survey Stakeholder Survey Phase Two-Online Survey Other Stakeholders KV Condition Surveys Current and recent archaeological intervention in KV Previous Work by the TMP Current Tomb Condition Reports Tomb Environmental Monitoring KV Infrastructure Roads and Pathways to KV Types of Transport Vehicle Parking Vendors' Area Visitors Center Tramline and Road from Visitors Center to KV Security Entrance and Camera Rules Toilets Shelters and Rest Stops Tomb Interiors Site Utilities Site Fabric Summary of Proposals and Status as of 2012 Visitor Management in KV Carrying Capacity Carrying Capacity of KV Tombs Ticketing Procedures Visitor Experience in KV Summary of Proposals KV Site Management The Supreme Council for Antiquities (SCA) Site Management and CRM Training Emergency and Disaster Planning Site Maintenance Site Management Information Systems Summary of Proposals