The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is launching tonight at 7 pm its second virtual tour to enable people worldwide to experience the country’s ancient civilisation during their home confinement amid the coronavirus quarantines.

The initiative was organised by the ministry in collaboration with its partners from scientific and archaeological institutions.

Tonight, the ministry will post on its official website and social media platforms a tour of the tomb of Queen Meresankh III, the granddaughter of King Khufu, builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza, and wife of either Khafre or Menkaure. Her unique underground chapel (labelled G 7530-7540) preserves beautifully carved and painted scenes of the queen and her royal family, as well as servants, artisans, and funerary priests.

The scenes also depict the rich burial goods that would have been placed in Meresankh’s tomb: statues and fine furniture; boxes containing food, clothing, and jewellery; and even a representation of the black granite sarcophagus that was found in situ in her burial chamber.