An Egyptian and Japanese team of scientists use a pulley system to lift the first of 41 16-ton limestone slabs to reveal fragments of the ancient ship of King Khufu next to the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt. Archaeologists have begun the excavation process of a 4,500-year old wooden boat encased underground next to the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egyptologists announced Thursday. -AP Photo

CAIRO: Egyptologists say they will restore a 4,500-year-old wooden boat found underground next to the Great Pyramid of Giza.

The boat was discovered in 1954 with another ship. That one was restored and is regarded as one of the most significant discoveries on the Giza plateau for its age, size and condition. It is about 140 feet long.

Zahi Hawass, Egypt's antiquities chief, said he hoped display of the restored ship would boost tourism, which has fallen sharply since Egypt's popular revolution this year.

He said the ships are the oldest surviving vessels from antiquity.

The boats, made from Lebanese cedar and Egyptian acacia trees, are believed to have been buried with the pharaoh Khufu, to carry him in the afterlife. Khufu, also known as Cheops, built the pyramid.