Egypt digs up ancient tombs, aims to boost tourism

Archaeologists are constantly active in Egypt and are making exciting discoveries. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities reported that an Egyptian-Italian team found 33 family tombs to the west of Aswan containing mummy remains and funeral tools.

In a statement, the ministry said that the archaeological mission working near the Aga Khan Mausoleum in the southeastern part of Egypt discovered 33 tombs dating to the Late Period (712–332 BCE) and the Greco-Roman period (from 332 BCE to the 4th century CE).

According to researchers, the findings will provide knowledge about diseases that were present among Egyptians at that time.

"Some mummies showed signs of anemia, malnutrition, respiratory diseases, tuberculosis, and osteoporosis," said Patricia Piacentini, head of the Italian part of the archaeological team and professor of Egyptology at the University of Milan.

The Egyptian-Italian team has been conducting joint excavation work around the Aga Khan Mausoleum on the west bank of the Nile since 2018.

Egypt regularly announces information about archaeological discoveries. According to some experts, news dedicated to these findings is more significant than that about politics and the economy. They can attract more visitors, which is very important.

This country of 116 million, mired in an economic crisis, counts on revitalizing the tourism industry, which includes around 2 million jobs and accounts for 10 percent of GDP. Cairo expects that by 2028, the annual number of tourists will reach 30 million. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Egypt hosted about 13 million visitors annually.

Such growth is possible partly due to extending a unique incentive program for airlines. The program, renewed periodically, was to be in effect until May of this year. Still, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities decided to extend its operation until November, the end of this summer season.

Under the program, Egypt subsidizes the travel of each tourist arriving there for vacation. All planes landing in Hurghada or Marsa Alam receive $4,000 provided the occupancy rate on board is at least 80 percent. For flights to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt pays $4,500, but only if the plane is filled to 65 percent.