Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak and Mrs. Bernadette Chirac, co-inaugurated Amenhotep Museum at Saqqara area, situated on the West Bank of the River Nile, about 30 km south of Cairo. The Ministry of Culture has modernized the museum in tribute to Amenhotep, who was the chief architect to the Third Dynasty King Djoser (2687-2668 BC).

Mrs. Mubarak and the French first lady toured the museum's various halls and watched a film about the history of Saqqara area.

They also made a tour of the Step Pyramid plateau, the causeway, the Serapeum: a gallery of tombs, Saqqara North and Saqqara South.

In addition to Djoser's, there are another 16 pyramids on the site, in various states of preservation or dilapidation.

New Treasure uncovered in Karnak temple

Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni announced the success of the Egyptian-French Center mission in uncovering two new findings of treasure at the Karnak Temple in Luxor. One of them was golden and was found beside Queen Hatshepsut Obelisk and the southern royal hall of King Tuhutmus III.

Dr.Zahi Hawas, Secretary General of the Higher Council of Antiquity (HCA), pointed out that the golden treasure is considered the most important finding. It consists of nine artifacts of pure gold carrying inscriptions of King Tuhutmis III name and his titles, and it reflects the progress of art during the modern state era. Meanwhile, the General Supervisor of Luxor Antiquity Mansour Brek said that the second treasure belongs to Queen Hatshepsut and King Tuhutmus III and refutes claimed stories about power struggle between them. Dr. Hawas said that the golden treasure will be transferred to Luxor Temple for display to visitors.