Cairo's Egyptian Museum
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
landmark in the history of Egyptology. The idea of preserving Egypt’s antiquities began during the era of Muhammad Ali Pasha (1805–1848), when he recognized the danger of artifacts leaving the country. He issued a decree establishing Egypt’s first antiquities institution near El-Ezbekia Garden. Displays were organized by Hakikan Effendi and supervised by Youssef Diaa Effendi, with the help of scholar Rifa’a al-Tahtawi, who played a vital role in regulating excavations and preventing the smuggling of monuments.
These early efforts laid the foundation for modern archaeology in Egypt and eventually led to the establishment of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir.
The French architect Marcel Dourgnon was responsible for the design of the building and it was completed in 1902, thus making the building itself a historical treasure.
Currently the museum contains a vast number of artefacts (in tens of thousands) that cover the times from pre-dynastic period to the Greco-Roman era. The museum in Tahrir still keeps important statues, coffins, papyri, jewellery and everyday objects showcasing the development of Ancient Egyptian civilization although some major collections such as the full treasures of Tutankhamun and the Royal Mummies have been moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
Amongst the famous pieces that are still shown are the Menkaure Triads from Giza, Old Kingdom statues, funerary artefacts and artistic treasures from different dynasties. These artifacts still provide a crucial insight into the mastery, the religion, and the everyday life of the ancient Egyptians.
The Egyptian Museum is still a stop not to be missed on a day tour of Cairo as it allows visitors to experience a traditional museum which is historically significant. The halls of the museum are filled with non-replaceable artefacts that offer a glimpse into the evolution of Egyptology as a scientific discipline. The museum also provides family-friendly and wheelchair accessible visits.
The GEM's relocation of some collections did not diminish the Egyptian Museum's status as a cultural heritage cornerstone and an indispensable source of information regarding the past that researchers, students and enthusiasts can certainly benefit from.
The ticket prices are dependent on the visitor category as well as the optional access to special exhibits. There are discounted tickets for children and free admission for children aged six and below. The museum hours are daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The Egyptian Museum focused on antiquities, has evolved in ideas from the time of Muhammad Ali Pasha from 1805 up to 1848, when he ruled Egypt. Being a monarch who knew about Egypt’s heritage and its threats through the outflow of things that went out of Egypt, he proclaimed a command establishing the first Antiquities of Egypt museum in Coppers Cairo. The location of this first museum was also close to El-Ezbekia Garden, and its displays were well organized by Hakikan Effendi and supervised by Youssef Diaa Effendi. Shaikh Rifa’a al-Tahtawi was instrumental during this period in averting the loss of Egypt’s archaeological wealth.
He controlled excavations and maintenance but also made laws of his own, and they included that no one should dig again unless permission was granted. Moreover, Al-Tahtawi ordered that every relic that was found was to be brought and kept in the El-Ezbekia Museum and ordered that such relics be not taken out of the country so that they remained in Egypt.
This productive activity prevented the loss of ancient monuments of Egypt as well as the birth of the first principles of archaeology in Egypt, which gave rise to the present-day Egyptian Museum.
It is regarded as one of the first archeological museums in the Middle East. It holds uncovered creases of royalty of Egyptian dynasties. The museums consist of more than 170000 objects, objects covering the chronology from pre-dynasty time to the Graeco-Roman period (5500 BC-AAD 364). The museum is found in Cairo, Broaden Tahir Square.
The designer is Marcel Dourgnon, a French national, and its construction was done by the famous Italian company of Giuseppe Garozzo and Francesco Zaffrani.
The Egyptian Museum’s treasures include the treasures of the Golden Mask of the young Pharaoh Tutankhamun and the Treasures of the King. The Golden Funerary Mask, also known as the mummy mask, is an exquisite handcrafted artistic artifact that captures everywhere elegance.
One of the other notable artistic works in the museum is the Menkaure Triads, which was found at the valley temple close to the Giza pyramids. It is carved in a single piece of stone depicting a king in the crown of upper Egypt. The museum has numerous collections from the various Egyptian civilizations and different periods, and it is one of the activities that are carried out in Cairo day tours from the airport, which is incomparably enjoyable to see pieces that are many centuries old.
