Zahi Hawass denies forbidding tourists from picturing historic sites
Comments have been circulating that Egyptian authorities have forbidden the use of any visual recording device (cameras, video cameras, cellphones, etc.) at the entire Valley of the Kings, both outside and inside the tombs.
According to a statement by the Egyptian Culture Ministry, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Zahi Hawass said “it is allowed to take pictures for the open monuments area,” it is not allowed to take pictures only inside the ancient tombs in order to save paintings from the bad effects of cameras’ flash.
He added that any official who halts tourists from taking pictures at the open historic areas, like Pyramids or Temples of Luxor, would be charged, as these photos are part of their memories during visiting Egypt.
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it’s true… i could take pictures there outside, but not inside the tombs – my friend that who tried to have one shot was seen by the guards and threatened with a police inquiry… she got off, but we were quite scared
This has pretty much been the rules for more than at least 20 years now.