Rare opportunity: Free tour of Egyptian tombs through virtual reality

The 5,000-year-old royal tomb of Queen Meresankh III (granddaughter of Egyptian king Khufu), at the famous Great Pyramid of Giza is one of four tourist attractions open for tourists to visit via virtual reality , with realistic 3D images, giving viewers an interesting view of ancient Egypt.

Visiting the tomb of Queen Meresankh III

Accordingly, the Egyptian Tourism Council has just opened a virtual tour for travelers around the world to visit the 5,000-year-old tomb for free. This is a move to promote tourism in Egypt in the context of countries restricting travel and blockade because the Covid-19 pandemic is still complicated.

Before the outbreak of Covid-19, to visit the tomb of Queen Meresankh III , visitors must pay 50 Egyptian pounds (about 2.5 pounds, equivalent to 75 thousand VND). For now, viewers are completely free to explore at home. The special thing about visiting online is that visitors don't have to squeeze in with other tourist groups.

3D images of the tomb were taken by Harvard University's Giza Project . With detailed information and 3D imagery, the 'virtual' tour offers a true feel of one of the most beautiful tombs in ancient times, with just the click of a mouse. If you want to feel more genuine, viewers just open . the fireplace will be like in the desert.

Picture 1 of Rare opportunity: Free tour of Egyptian tombs through virtual reality
3D images of the tomb were taken by Harvard University's Giza Project.

The tomb of Queen Meresankh III was unearthed by Harvard archaeologist George Andrew Reisner in 1927. Meresankh III is the daughter of Crown Prince Kawab and Queen Hetepheres II, granddaughter of Pharaon Kheops (or Khufu), Great pyramid builder of Kheops. American archeologists were surprised by the quality of the carvings in the tomb. He once shared in the Museum of Fine Arts news that he had never seen anything like it.

The tour begins at the entrance of the tomb, viewers can explore each area of the tomb such as funeral monuments, statues carved into the wall, murals depicting Queen Meresankh III with parents and hundreds of the servant brought royal gifts.

The intricate reliefs represent her life five millennia ago. Thereby, the ancient Egyptian royal family expresses its desire to maintain the soul of Meresankh in the afterlife.

Queen Meresankh III wore a white robe, holding her mother's hand at the west entrance. The ancient Egyptians explained that the sun setting in the west was the gateway to the dead - and below a group of craftsmen was making triangular cakes. In the middle is the wooden steps leading into the ancient tomb.

Viewers can explore the room where Meresankh's black granite coffin is located at a depth of 5m. This coffin was a gift from Queen Hetepheres II to her daughter when Meresankh died suddenly before her. Virtual tours even allow visitors to rotate the 3D model of the tomb to see details.

In addition to the tomb of Queen Meresankh III, the Egyptian Tourism Council also offers three 'virtual' tours at locations such as Coplic Red Monastery in Upper Egypt, Ben Erza Synagogue and Madrassa Mosque. by Sultan Hassan.

In the situation where the Covid-19 epidemic is still complicated as it is today, many organizations have made virtual tours so that visitors sitting at home can still explore the wonders. Previously, National Geographic also conducted a virtual reality tour with a number of world wonders, including Son Doong cave (Quang Binh).

To visit the tomb, you can go here: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=d42fuVA21To