Egypt Opens Ancient Tombs Amid Plane Crash Controversy

Egypt Opens Ancient Tombs Amid Plane Crash Controversy¹

CAIRO—

The Egyptian government this week unveiled three ancient pharaonic tombs for the first time since they were discovered - as it struggles to re-build its sagging² tourism industry.  But tourists still say they are on edge after a plane crashed last weekend over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, killing³ all 224 people on board. 

Egyptians say if you want to find ancient treasures in Luxor, all you have to do is start digging.  And the digging never stops.

The Egyptian government this week invited journalists to photograph three never-before-seen tombs of noblemen who died more than 3,000 years ago.  Officials also re-opened two tombs that once held kings, after years of restoration work.

The story of King Horemheb seemed to celebrate an image the current Egyptian leadership likes to portray⁴ - a powerful, single ruler leading the country after years of political turmoil⁵.

“He returned Egypt to great rule after the Amarna Period, which was a time of political weakness.  So the strength of Egypt was returned,” said Egypt's Minister of Antiquities⁶ Mamdouh Eldamaty.

But the nation's current strength is constantly being tested, and the tourism industry is reeling after a Russian plane crashed shortly following takeoff from Sharm el-Sheik - along with Luxor, one of Egypt’s most popular vacation spots.

Business has plummeted⁷ in recent years, and visitors in Luxor say they were nervous about traveling to Egypt.

“I had some doubts before I came but since all those doubts were based on media, I just felt like I had to come and see my self, and so far everything has been okay,” said Bart, a tourist from Holland.

Some countries are canceling flights to Sharm el-Sheik and several airlines have stopped flying over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.  Analysts say efforts in Luxor to renew interest in antiquities tourism has been overshadowed by the disaster.

1 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

2 sagging   

下垂[沉，陷]，松垂，垂度

参考例句：

• The morale of the enemy troops is continuously sagging. 敌军的士气不断低落。
• We are sagging south. 我们的船正离开航线向南漂流。

3 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

4 portray   

v.描写，描述；画(人物、景象等)

参考例句：

• It is difficult to portray feelings in words.感情很难用言语来描写。
• Can you portray the best and worst aspects of this job?您能描述一下这份工作最好与最坏的方面吗？

5 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。

6 antiquities   

n.古老( antiquity的名词复数 )；古迹；古人们；古代的风俗习惯

参考例句：

• There is rest and healing in the contemplation of antiquities. 欣赏古物有休息和疗养之功。 来自辞典例句
• Bertha developed a fine enthusiasm for the antiquities of London. 伯沙对伦敦的古迹产生了很大的热情。 来自辞典例句

7 plummeted   

v.垂直落下，骤然跌落( plummet的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Share prices plummeted to an all-time low. 股票价格暴跌到历史最低点。
• A plane plummeted to earth. 一架飞机一头栽向地面。 来自《简明英汉词典》