In wake of plane crash, Egypt opens ancient tombs to spur interest in archaeological sites

An Egyptian guard of honor wears Pharaonic clothes as he welcomes visitors at Hatshepsut Temple on the west bank of the Nile River at Luxor, Egypt, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015 marking the city's national day, which coincides with the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) (The Associated Press)

Members of Cairo Opera Ballet dance in front of the Hatshepsut Temple on the west bank of the Nile River at Luxor, Egypt, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015 marking the city's national day, which coincides with the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) (The Associated Press)

An Egyptian guard of honor wears Pharaonic clothes as he welcomes visitors at the Hatshepsut Temple on the west bank of the Nile River at Luxor, Egypt, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015 marking the city's national day, which coincides with the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) (The Associated Press)

Egypt has opened three tombs in the ancient city of Luxor to the public, hoping to spur tourism interest despite the shadow of last weekend's airline crash in the Sinai Peninsula.

The most significant tomb opened Thursday is that of Huy, Viceroy of Kush under the famed King Tutankhamun. It has wall paintings of Nubians bringing tributes.

Antiquities Minister Mamdouh Eldamaty says the tombs, in the Qurnat Marey area of Luxor, are among the most important ones made for nobles of the New Kingdom period, which ended over 3,000 years ago.

Eldamaty says that the opening is part of his ministry's general plan to highlight new archaeological sites to encourage tourism.

Tourism, a key foreign currency earner for Egypt's economy, is making a gradual recovery after years of political upheaval.