0:00:02 > 0:00:04It is arguably the world's most famous antiquity,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07but it's now in critical condition, and in order to save it
0:00:07 > 0:00:10from complete collapse, a state-of-the-art replica
0:00:10 > 0:00:13of Tutankhamen's tomb has been painstakingly created.
0:00:17 > 0:00:22After 3,000 years undisturbed, a mere nine decades of mass tourism
0:00:22 > 0:00:26has taken its toll on the boy king's final resting place.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36After unsuccessful restoration attempts,
0:00:36 > 0:00:40installing a replica is accepted by most experts as the only solution.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Unless something is done -
0:00:42 > 0:00:45and the facsimile is part of that something -
0:00:45 > 0:00:46there will be more collapses.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49The Travel Show has exclusive access
0:00:49 > 0:00:52to the key players in this epic drama.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55Will limiting access to the original tomb
0:00:55 > 0:00:58and opening a replica be another nail in the coffin
0:00:58 > 0:01:03for Egyptian tourism, or will it be instrumental in securing its future?
0:01:40 > 0:01:46Luxor in Egypt - one of the most legendary sites in ancient history.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50It's said a third of the world's antiquities
0:01:50 > 0:01:52are to be found in this region.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00And just outside the city, the Valley of the Kings.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04A huge underground acropolis, where the archaeologist Howard Carter
0:02:04 > 0:02:08spent five years hunting for elusive buried treasures.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13And just as he was about to give up, he struck lucky.
0:02:20 > 0:02:26It's such a compelling story of discovery, of mystery, of magic.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34In 1922, Carter stumbled on a set of steps, and into the tomb
0:02:34 > 0:02:38of a 19-year-old king who'd been forgotten by history.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44The tomb itself doesn't compare to others in Luxor,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47which are much larger and intricately painted.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51But it had one major advantage - it was intact.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28It shows the entrance of the Karnak Temple.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32'These are the original plate-glass photographs
0:03:32 > 0:03:37'of Tutankhamen's treasures, taken by this shop owner's grandfather.'
0:03:45 > 0:03:48'The discovery of the tomb spawned a mini industry,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51'and kick-started cultural tourism to Egypt.'
0:04:22 > 0:04:25For more than 3,000 years, this tomb survived intact,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28in almost pristine condition,
0:04:28 > 0:04:30but after only nine decades of tourism,
0:04:30 > 0:04:34with up to 1,000 visitors trooping in here every day,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37well, the conditions deteriorated dramatically.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40And the main reason for that was this...
0:04:41 > 0:04:43..human breath.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Over the years, since Carter opened the tomb up,
0:04:46 > 0:04:52the constant changes of humidity, the changes in moisture levels,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55the airborne pollutants that come in with the people,
0:04:55 > 0:04:57have an effect on the tomb.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Urgent action was needed.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Previous attempts at conservation had only made the problem worse,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31which left one previously unthinkable option,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34and arguably commercial suicide for Luxor -
0:05:34 > 0:05:38closing Tutankhamen's tomb to the public.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47But there was one potential way of taking the heat off the tomb -
0:05:47 > 0:05:50to create a facsimile, a copy.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54A technical artist was asked to work on the idea.
0:05:54 > 0:06:00We began by deciding that the way to record the tombs three-dimensionally
0:06:00 > 0:06:02was to use a laser scanning system.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10It was a complex job.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Adam's digital conservation company, Factum Arte,
0:06:13 > 0:06:17set to work recording the tomb, taking into account colour,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20tone, texture, relief, sheen and quality.
0:06:22 > 0:06:27For every square metre, 100 million bits of data were recorded.
0:06:27 > 0:06:28The aim - to create a replica
0:06:28 > 0:06:32that, to the naked eye, would be identical to the original.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35The aim is to capture every speck of sand
0:06:35 > 0:06:39and every crack in the paint on the surface of the walls.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45The team completed the replica and aimed to install it in 2011,
0:06:45 > 0:06:48but then political events in Egypt began to take over,
0:06:48 > 0:06:50and progress was halted.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01The revolution against President Mubarak
0:07:01 > 0:07:04had a huge impact on tourism in the country.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07And the facsimile project dropped off the radar.
0:07:09 > 0:07:10SHOUTING
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Further instability and mass protests,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17which led to the ousting of the new president, Morsi,
0:07:17 > 0:07:19resulted in government lockdown...
0:07:21 > 0:07:24..and the replica was left in a basement in Cairo.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49But now the replica is finally on its way to Luxor.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52The first job, to get it out of storage.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04Moving the heavy and very fragile boxes is a tricky operation.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16Hopefully still intact, the new tomb is on its way.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Thousands of years ago, limestone, granite and gold
0:08:28 > 0:08:31were taken down the River Nile
0:08:31 > 0:08:35in order to build the tombs and temples of Luxor -
0:08:35 > 0:08:39the very same route used to transport the replica.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50FANFARE PLAYS
0:08:54 > 0:08:57This fanfare for the arrival of the boxes, and these people have
0:08:57 > 0:09:01good reason to hope that the replica will mean more tourism for Luxor.
0:09:07 > 0:09:12Because the impact of the country's instability is plain to see here.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16Once 10,000 tourists arrived every day. No longer.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20Hotel occupancy has dropped by more than 95%.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31Before 2011, this market would be bustling with tourists.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Now there is not one.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37Walking around this souk,
0:09:37 > 0:09:40you can really feel the desperation in the air.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44Most of these market traders are making next to nothing every day.
0:09:44 > 0:09:45You walk into one of these shops
0:09:45 > 0:09:50and they'll only then turn the lights on, in order to save money.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51It's heartbreaking.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00Egypt without tourism is dead place. As you see yourself.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04Temples empty, market is empty, most of the place empty. Hotels empty.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Every part is empty.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13'Those who are in work are having to support whole families.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18'Saeed is 16 and has a job at a hotel, caring for its camels.'
0:10:29 > 0:10:34Many of your friends, are they now not working?
0:10:34 > 0:10:35What are they doing these days?
0:11:02 > 0:11:04The stakes are high here.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08Locals need to be persuaded that the new tomb could revive tourism
0:11:08 > 0:11:11and woo people back to Luxor.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Can you really build a brand-new tomb
0:11:15 > 0:11:17so that it looks 3,000 years old?
0:11:17 > 0:11:20And will it satisfy visitors who may have travelled
0:11:20 > 0:11:22thousands of miles to see it?
0:11:30 > 0:11:34There is a new tomb in Egypt, but it's not beneath the ground.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36It's currently in boxes,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39and is a replica of Tutankhamen's burial chamber,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42which has been badly damaged by tourism.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Another change in government means a decision about where to put it,
0:11:47 > 0:11:49and when, has been slow.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51But, finally, an agreement is reached
0:11:51 > 0:11:54that the site will be outside the house of Howard Carter,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57near the entrance of the Valley of the Kings.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03When we had all the finish of the paper,
0:12:03 > 0:12:08I was so happy that we could move it fast before they change their mind!
0:12:15 > 0:12:17Before the tomb walls can be erected,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19the structure needs to be built.
0:12:22 > 0:12:23Egyptian architect Tarek
0:12:23 > 0:12:26is in charge of the design and construction.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30'It is a very unique project.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32'For anyone who has loved this country,
0:12:32 > 0:12:36'we feel that this is something new, to build a tomb.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40'And as an architect, to build a tomb that was designed 1,000 years ago,
0:12:40 > 0:12:42'it is very attractive,'
0:12:42 > 0:12:46and also I feel some responsibility
0:12:46 > 0:12:49of my history and my heritage,
0:12:49 > 0:12:51our heritage in Egypt,
0:12:51 > 0:12:56and this would help us a lot to keep it for the coming generation.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09It's all about turning a shell into a convincing copy
0:13:09 > 0:13:13of an ancient burial chamber, both inside and out.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19And that means using the same sort of limestone as the original,
0:13:19 > 0:13:23and chipping and scraping away at it to get an authentic affect.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27Tarek lets me have a go.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- Here, try it.- Is that right?
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Some more to be done, still?
0:13:31 > 0:13:35Yes, but slowly and carefully, and you will feel it.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40It is like...it's a piece of sculpture. Try it. I trust you.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44If you did anything wrong, I would correct it, don't worry.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Don't worry about that.
0:13:49 > 0:13:54You have to go back 4,000 years to go inside the mind of somebody
0:13:54 > 0:13:56who does not exist any more,
0:13:56 > 0:14:01and to understand and to catch what he wants from this building,
0:14:01 > 0:14:03which is designed not to be seen or visited.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05It's a tomb for the king.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19With the outer building well under way
0:14:19 > 0:14:21and the frame of the roof hoisted,
0:14:21 > 0:14:24the boxes can finally be opened and checked.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27The carefully recreated wall panels and replica sarcophagus
0:14:27 > 0:14:32are now being seen for the first time by many of the local workmen.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Like this granite... If you look,
0:14:35 > 0:14:39it has the mixture of the red and the black
0:14:39 > 0:14:44and yellow and the cream, and it feels exactly like stone.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Very good, very good.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Huge flat packages are carefully unwrapped
0:14:54 > 0:14:56and then assembled like a giant jigsaw.
0:14:58 > 0:14:59Got it?
0:15:01 > 0:15:04It's all very exciting, but even at this late stage
0:15:04 > 0:15:06some locals are harbouring doubts.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28If those tombs survived thousands of years, tomb robbers,
0:15:28 > 0:15:31treasure hunters, art collectors,
0:15:31 > 0:15:33tourists later on,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36I'm sure they can survive now, with modern technology,
0:15:36 > 0:15:40with different techniques, for ventilation, for protecting the tomb,
0:15:40 > 0:15:42just being more strict.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49The creators of the replica say no such technology exists
0:15:49 > 0:15:52that can undo the damage that has already been done.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54There are many ideas.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56People want to put screens of glass,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59people want to put in air-conditioning systems,
0:15:59 > 0:16:01people want to put in fancy lighting,
0:16:01 > 0:16:02people want to do many things,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05but the tomb was never meant to be visited.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07This is the thing we have to respect.
0:16:07 > 0:16:12The simple truth is the tombs can't take that number of visitors.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14I would not want to come all the way from Canada
0:16:14 > 0:16:16to see replicas in Egypt.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18We need to have that passion to see the real thing.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22If you're seeing a replica, you don't have that same passion.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25SHOUTING
0:16:28 > 0:16:30And now the final piece -
0:16:30 > 0:16:34the sarcophagus, weighing in at a hefty 300kg.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44CHEERING
0:17:01 > 0:17:04So, how about one last peek at the original tomb?
0:17:10 > 0:17:15After nearly a century of being the object of so much curiosity,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18surely it's time to let it breathe,
0:17:18 > 0:17:21and let a younger model take some of the limelight.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27Down in the burial chamber, there is a gold mummy case
0:17:27 > 0:17:30which the replica team didn't have permission to record.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33So that'll be one noticeable difference
0:17:33 > 0:17:35between the two tombs for visitors.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38But the damage on the walls is clear to see.
0:17:40 > 0:17:41The simple fact is that,
0:17:41 > 0:17:45for every extra day hordes of tourists are allowed in here,
0:17:45 > 0:17:47the further it deteriorates.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55And the more desperate need for the replica to actually open.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Did I ever doubt it would happen?
0:17:57 > 0:17:59I doubted it would happen all the time,
0:17:59 > 0:18:03and I never doubted it would come to a satisfactory conclusion.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06The only question is, when it was going to come to that conclusion.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13And the end is in sight.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18I finally get a sneak preview before the replica opens.
0:18:18 > 0:18:25It's definitely lighter, it smells newer, but the paintwork is spot-on.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29It's pretty impressive to me, but will the public buy into it?
0:18:35 > 0:18:38'I asked an Egyptologist who lives locally
0:18:38 > 0:18:41'to give me a more informed perspective.'
0:18:41 > 0:18:43This is the first time you have seen this,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46the first time virtually anybody has seen this.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50It is the first time I'm coming here. I'm quite surprised.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54- Ooh!- What do you think?- Ooh-oh.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56Come closer.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00You know, I speak, you know, from my heart.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04Well, I'm sorry, but I have to say it's marvellous.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06THEY LAUGH
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Perfect.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11It looks so old, it looks so true.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- And, look, this is a copy?- Mm-hmm.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18Can you imagine? This looks a bit new, maybe,
0:19:18 > 0:19:22but if you put a glass on top, like it is, you know,
0:19:22 > 0:19:24it looks perfect.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30What we're talking about here is a change in mindset,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33a recognition that, in the grand scheme of things,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36going to see the facsimile, the replica,
0:19:36 > 0:19:39rather than the original, is actually a very positive act.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45Hopefully there's a way that we can both get the tourists back in
0:19:45 > 0:19:49and preserve the monuments so the tourists will still come,
0:19:49 > 0:19:52because if not there will be a point when people stop coming
0:19:52 > 0:19:56because they've destroyed something of fundamental importance.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59CHORAL SINGING
0:20:03 > 0:20:05And for Adam, if it's well-received,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08it opens up a whole world of possibilities.
0:20:10 > 0:20:15I would love to be asked to go and work to help save the Sistine Chapel.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17Yes, that's an obvious example,
0:20:17 > 0:20:23where thousands of people go to see an iconic monument, but too many.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26No building can sustain that.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32And there are even plans to extend the facsimile project
0:20:32 > 0:20:34back here in Egypt,
0:20:34 > 0:20:37and train local people to create replicas of some of the tombs
0:20:37 > 0:20:41that are so fragile they've been closed to the public for decades.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43This is a start.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46And I think we will continue to be doing a lot of replica
0:20:46 > 0:20:50related to some other tomb, like Seti's tomb,
0:20:50 > 0:20:52like other tombs here,
0:20:52 > 0:20:56to try to keep all the real tombs in a good condition.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08Before tourists are let in, there is just time for some final touches.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15How are you feeling? Are you feeling relieved?
0:21:15 > 0:21:17I'm feeling deeply stressed is the truth.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20The logistics of trying to do the work we're doing
0:21:20 > 0:21:24in the heat here, in the chaos, is extraordinary,
0:21:24 > 0:21:28but the great moment of happiness that makes the stress worthwhile
0:21:28 > 0:21:32is watching the faces of people walking into it.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Initially, both tombs will be open to visitors,
0:21:42 > 0:21:45but the long-term plan is to restrict access to the original tomb
0:21:45 > 0:21:48and ask individuals to fork out a lot more
0:21:48 > 0:21:51for the privilege of seeing the real deal.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20I hope people will start to look,
0:22:20 > 0:22:22and if they do a sort of spot-the-difference
0:22:22 > 0:22:27between the facsimile and the original, I would be delighted.
0:22:48 > 0:22:53So, a new tomb for Tutankhamen, a new start for Egyptian tourism?
0:22:53 > 0:22:54Well, maybe.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58It's certainly a good-news story for a country whose reputation
0:22:58 > 0:23:00has been badly tarnished in recent years.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03But for this to work, two things have to happen.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06People have to return to a country they believe is both stable
0:23:06 > 0:23:10and secure, and they have to feel a part of a process
0:23:10 > 0:23:14of preserving Egypt's magnificent antiquities.