Egypt to restore ancient boat

Members of an Egyptian and Japanese research team remove limestone blocks that cover a pit containing King Khufu's second solar boat on the southern side of Khufu's Great Pyramid

Members of an Egyptian and Japanese research team remove limestone blocks that cover a pit containing King Khufu's second solar boat on the southern side of Khufu's Great Pyramid

Published Jun 28, 2011

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Cairo - Egyptologists say they will restore a 4,500-year-old wooden boat found underground next to the Great Pyramid of Giza.

The boat was discovered in 1954 with another ship. That one was restored and is regarded as one of the most significant discoveries on the Giza plateau for its age, size and condition. It is about 140 feet (43 meters) long.

Zahi Hawass, Egypt's antiquities chief, said he hoped display of the ship would boost tourism, which has fallen sharply since Egypt's popular revolution this year.

He said the ships are the oldest surviving vessels from antiquity.

The boats, made from Lebanese cedar and Egyptian acacia trees, are believed to have been buried with the pharaoh Khufu, to carry him in the afterlife. Khufu, also known as Cheops, built the pyramid.

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