The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, located in Cairo, Egypt, is a world-renowned institution that houses the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world. Established in 1901, the museum is an impressive building that exhibits over 120,000 artifacts that represent the various historical periods of ancient Egypt.
The museum features numerous galleries that provide visitors with a glimpse into ancient Egyptian life and culture. The ground floor hosts an impressive collection of statues, sarcophagi, and papyri, while the first floor is home to the Royal Mummies Room, where mummies of ancient Egyptian Pharaohs are displayed. The museum’s collection includes a wide range of artifacts, from everyday household items to priceless treasures that belonged to influential figures in ancient Egyptian history.
One of the museum’s most famous exhibits is Tutankhamun’s treasure, which includes his iconic gold burial mask. Other notable exhibits include the Narmer Palette, the Akhenaten Gallery, and the Egyptian Jewelry Gallery (most of which are moved to the New Grand Egyptian Museum). The museum is also home to fascinating papyri dating back to the Old Kingdom, as well as the fascinating tomb artifacts of the Valley of the Kings.
Aside from the museum’s collection, the Department of Antiquities operated a saleroom in the museum from 1902, where original ancient Egyptian artworks and other original artifacts were sold. The museum also has a garden adjacent to the main building dedicated to famous Egyptologists of the world, serving as a memorial to their contribution to the study of ancient Egypt.
Despite facing a series of issues, including insufficient space and conservation needs, the museum remains a critical institution for preserving the history of ancient Egypt and presenting it to the world. Its impressive collection of artifacts and rare pieces makes it one of the world’s top museums and a favorite for tourists who visit Egypt.
In addition to its current collection, Egypt is currently constructing a new Egyptian Museum at Giza, expected to open in 2022, that will house more than 100,000 objects, making it one of the largest museums in the world. The Grand Egyptian Museum, as it’s known, will be a world-class institution that features interactive exhibits, immersive experiences, and cutting-edge technology that will help bring the stories of ancient Egypt to life.
History of the Egyptian Antiquities Museum
The museum was built first in Bulaq, then it was moved to Giza Palace of Khedive Ismael, Cairo museum which is now in Tahrir Square was opened in 1901. It houses the antiquities that were collected by Mariette Pacha, a French Egyptologist who was later titled the father of Egyptology).
The museum accommodates more than a hundred thousand ancient pieces all displayed in historical order, it is divided into two stories; on the ground floor visitors can see the antiquities from:
- The Predynastic period
- The Old Kingdom
- The Middle Kingdom
- The New Kingdom
While on the upper floor visitors can see antiquities from:
- Tutankhamen’s tomb (Most of its content is now moved to the GEM)
- Coffins and mummies from the new kingdom, and the late period
- The Royal mummies room (Moved to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization)
- The animal mummies room
- The contents of Yuya and Thuya’s tomb
