Ancient Egyptian Boat To Be Restored In Effort To Boost Tourism (PHOTOS)

Ancient Egyptian Boat To Be Restored In Effort To Boost Tourism (PHOTOS)

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) — Archaeologists have begun excavating a 4,500-year-old wooden boat found next to the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of Egypt's main tourist attractions, Egypt's top antiquities official said Thursday.The boat is one of two buried next to the pharaoh Khufu in what appeared to be a religious custom to carry him in the afterlife.

Khufu, also known as Cheops, is credited with building the Great Pyramid of Giza. Khufu founded the 4th Dynasty around 2680 B.C. and ruled Egypt for 23 years.