In a landmark event for archaeology and world culture, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is poised for its grand opening, placing a vast trove of ancient artefacts, including the complete collection of King Tutankhamun, on public display for the first time.
Hailed by the Egyptian presidency as “an exceptional event in the history of human culture and civilisation,” the official opening is expected to draw monarchs, world leaders, and heads of state to the billion-dollar facility, which stands in the shadow of the Giza pyramids.
The GEM is set to claim the record as the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilisation, housing approximately 50,000 artefacts that detail life in ancient Egypt from prehistoric times through the Roman era.
After being closed for final preparations ahead of the grand reveal, the museum will welcome visitors into a monumental space. They will enter through a towering glass facade, pass through a vast atrium, and ascend a grand, six-storey staircase lined with statues that leads to the main galleries.
According to Dr. Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s former minister of antiquities, the undisputed masterpiece of the new institution is the collection of the boy-king Tutankhamun.
“Why this museum is so important, and everyone is waiting for the opening?” Hawass said. “Because of Tutankhamun.”
Two dedicated halls will display all 5,000 artefacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb, marking the first time the entire collection has been shown together since its discovery by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922. While a selection of these iconic relics has toured the globe for decades, the GEM will offer an unprecedented view into the full splendour of the pharaoh’s burial goods.
Beyond Tutankhamun, the museum’s 12 main galleries will offer a comprehensive journey through ancient Egyptian history. Visitors will encounter colossal statues of pharaohs like Ramses II and Queen Hatshepsut, exploring 24,000 square meters of permanent exhibition space—all with a stunning view of the pyramids from within the museum.
TunisianMonitorOnline (NejiMed)
