The ceiling of Ra Wer tomb, located at the site of the Giza pyramids, collapsed four days ago, according to Omar al-Hadary, general coordinator of the Antiquities Ministry independent trade union.
Speaking to Al Watan newspaper, Hadary said that the ceiling and western wall of the tomb had collapsed due to trekking horses at the touristic site walking over the roof, which is raised about 30 centimeters above ground level.
Ashraf Mohie al-Din, manager of the site's archaeological department reassured, however, that the collapsed ceiling and wall were modern repair works, and not original features of the ancient tomb. he told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the rest of the tomb's ancient features — including an original statue — remain in good condition.
Hadary added that the ministry had refrained from announcing the collapse officially so as not to put a dampener on an event at a nearby tomb scheduled for next week.
According to Al-Masry Al-Youm, the site's engineering department has temporarily filled in the collapsed section with stones and cardboard.
Din said that Ra Wer as we see it today is a reconstruction of a ruin discovered by Egyptologist Selim Hassan in 1929. Hassan reassembled the tomb by putting together various stones carrying carvings and images, using steel and cement to resurrect the structure.
According to Al Watan, Din said had spoken over the phone with Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anany regarding the incident. A committee has been dispatched to inspect the tomb and ensure its safety.
