Egypt's archaeological authority has begun the third stage of excavation of the second solar boat belonging to King Khufu of the fourth dynasty.
Large stone blocks resting above the solar boat were removed by a joint team of Egyptian and Japanese archaeologists in the first stage of excavation.
In the third stage, members of the team extracted samples of the boat's wood to examine the level of damage from the fungi accumulating over the centuries.
The 4,500-year-old boat belonged to King Khufu, of the fourth dynasty of the old kingdom, who is known to have orchestrated the building of Egypt's Great Pyramid.
It was discovered in 1987 to the west of the first solar boat, also belonging to King Khufu, according to previous Minister for the State of Antiquities, Dr. Zahi Hawass's website. Boats in ancient Egypt were seen as vessels to the afterlife.
"The boat, as we discovered it, had its foundations and parts intact. The most important factor that we are dealing with now is to take samples from the woods and study them to learn about its contents and the extent of the fungi living in it," explained newly appointed Minister of State for Antiquities, Mostafa Amin.
Archaeologists in the project's third stage extracted samples of the wood for testing the levels of fungi throughout the boat's structure. The results of the tests will act as a guide to the best methods of preserving the boat.
Upon completion of the project, the boat will be put on display and the first solar boat will be moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Archaeology/History
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3 News / Reuters