A video circulating on Facebook showing a Chinese tourist tampering with brushes and restoration materials used on one of the ancient royal sarcophagi at the Luxor Temple has sparked widespread debate and discontent among users. In the video, the tourist is seen holding a brush as if participating in restoration work, assisted by an Egyptian technician present at the temple. Accompanying the video is a voiceover from the poster who states, "This video is shocking by all standards." The poster further questioned how this Chinese girl was allowed to tamper with the brushes and colors on the wall engravings of the Luxor Temple, asking who permitted such an alarming act and whether those responsible will be held accountable.
An official source from the Luxor antiquities stated that the video, which features a Chinese tourist appearing to hold a brush and pretend to participate in restoration activities, was taken while she was joking with a restoration technician at the temple, not a worker. The source added that these kinds of acts appeal to tourists, as they enjoy the symbolic participation in restoration or excavation activities and carrying out some tasks with workers for commemorative photos.
The source emphasized that tourists are allowed to hold restoration tools only for the purposes of taking pictures, which helps promote tourism and advertise the archaeological sites and temples. The source clarified that the error in this video was allowing the girl to actively participate in restoration work, which is not permitted. However, the material used by the Chinese tourist, shown in the video, consisted of distilled water with some additives like alcohol, which only serve to remove dust and dirt from stone surfaces and do not harm the artifact.
The source noted that once the video began circulating on social media, an immediate investigation was launched by the ministry, transferring the matter to the legal affairs department to examine the circumstances surrounding this incident and to ensure it does not happen again in the future.
