Antiquity beckons… again: Discovering Egypt

In 2007, Egypt made $7.4 million from tourism alone, highlighting two things – just how important foreign visitors are to the country’s economy, and just how many reasons there are for those visits. As one of the world leaders in attracting the intrepid traveller and the more casual sightseer, Egypt owes much to its ancestors for providing such an unmatched cluster of wonders in one place.

The Great Pyramid of Giza alone is enough to make visitors flock to the North African centre of tourism, with it being the last surviving member of the Seven Wonders of the World and one of the greatest architectural feats in history. However, there are actually three main pyramids in Giza. The Great Pyramid of Khufu shares the area with The Pyramid of Kafhre and the Pyramid of Menkaura, both of which are a wonder to behold for millions of tourists every year.

When you consider these pieces of ancient craftsmanship alongside such popular sites as the Sphinx, carved magnificently from a single piece of stone; the Valley of the Kings at the Ancient site of Thebes, where the tomb of Tutankhamun was discovered, or Luxor Temple, built around 1400BC. Egypt has a huge amount to offer even the most experienced historian.

It’s unsurprising then, that Egypt welcomes around 5 million tourists every year. What is, perhaps, more surprising is that, despite already having far more than its fair share of historical attractions, the country is still making new discoveries in the 21st century. In early 2006, the surprise find of an intact ancient tomb gave the country’s tourism industry a (possibly unneeded) fresh boost.

The Valley of the Kings saw the unearthing of the tomb, containing five mummies and sarcophagi, by a team of archaeologists from Memphis, who weren’t actually looking for it at all. In fact, since the Valley of the Kings was first officially mapped in the 18th century, 62 tombs had been discovered, with the last successful finding occurring in 1922, when Howard Carter came across the resting place of Tutankhamun. After nearly a century without the discovery of a single tomb, the 63rd unearthing occurred just metres away from the 62nd and fuelled speculation that there could be many more hidden treasures still to find.

Egypt has more to offer than just ancient history, however – for the scuba diver or snorkeler, Hurghada on the Red Sea could be a welcome break from antiquity. Similarly, the Siwa Oasis, situated in the Western Desert close to the Libyan border, provides another water-based diversion, and a perfect place to relax and swim for those suffering from history-overload. For those wishing for a well-rounded experience, holidays in Egypt offer even more than what most visitors would expect.

It is for most people, however, the country’s huge amount of culture and history that is the major draw. For the benefit of real history-fanatics and beginners alike, Egypt seems determined to maintain its position as the world’s centre of ancient history.

Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.