Egypt proudly unveils the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a monumental testament to its rich history and a significant cultural landmark situated near the iconic Great Pyramid of Giza. This sprawling museum, touted as the world’s largest archaeological museum, houses an astonishing collection of over 100,000 artifacts, spanning seven millennia of Egyptian civilization from its earliest periods to the Greco-Roman era.
The GEM’s opening has amplified calls from prominent Egyptologists for the return of key Egyptian antiquities currently housed in overseas museums, most notably the Rosetta Stone displayed at the British Museum. The museum’s centerpiece is the complete collection from the tomb of the young pharaoh Tutankhamun, displayed together for the very first time since its discovery by Howard Carter. Visitors can marvel at Tutankhamun’s stunning golden mask, his ornate throne, and his royal chariots, experiencing the tomb’s contents as Carter first encountered them.
With an investment of approximately $1.2 billion, the GEM is poised to become a major tourist attraction, anticipating up to 8 million visitors annually and providing a vital boost to Egypt’s tourism sector. Ahmed Seddik, a guide and aspiring Egyptologist, expresses his optimism: “We hope the Grand Egyptian Museum will usher in a new golden age of Egyptology and cultural tourism.” Many of the museum’s galleries, including the impressive Grand Staircase adorned with statues of ancient rulers, have been accessible since last year. The upcoming full public opening of the Tutankhamun collection on November 4th is eagerly awaited by tourists and locals alike.
Dr. Tarek Tawfik, President of the International Association of Egyptologists, explains his vision for the Tutankhamun exhibit: “I had the idea of displaying the complete tomb, which means nothing remains in storage, nothing remains in other museums, and you get to have the complete experience.” This extensive project, which began in 2005, has faced numerous delays due to financial crises, the 2011 Arab Spring, the COVID-19 pandemic, and regional conflicts, taking nearly as long to complete as the Great Pyramid itself.
The museum’s design is equally impressive, featuring an exterior adorned with hieroglyphs and a grand entrance framed by a pyramid. Inside, visitors will find remarkable artifacts such as the 3,200-year-old, 16-meter-long suspended obelisk of Ramesses II and his colossal 11-meter-high statue. Dr. Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s former minister of tourism and antiquities, views the museum as a symbol of national pride and a platform for Egyptians to showcase their expertise in archaeology and conservation. He also reiterated his strong advocacy for the repatriation of the Rosetta Stone, the Dendera Zodiac, and the Bust of Nefertiti, stating, “We need the three objects to come as a good feeling from these three countries, as a gift.”
The successful restoration of Tutankhamun’s artifacts by Egyptian conservators has drawn international admiration, highlighting the nation’s commitment to preserving its heritage. The GEM is not only a repository of ancient wonders but also a celebration of modern Egypt’s achievements.