Key Highlights
- The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) opens, showcasing the intact tomb of Tutankhamun for the first time.
- The museum is expected to attract up to 8 million visitors annually, boosting Egypt’s tourism industry.
- Dr. Tarek Tawfik, president of the International Association of Egyptologists, emphasizes the importance of displaying all artifacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb together.
- The museum is a significant project that has faced financial and political challenges over nearly two decades.
New Grand Egyptian Museum: A Cultural Highlight for Tourism
After years of construction, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) officially opened its doors in Egypt, marking a pivotal moment in both archaeological history and tourism. This massive institution, described as the world’s largest archaeological museum, aims to showcase 100,000 artifacts spanning over seven millennia.
Displaying Tutankhamun’s Tomb
A cornerstone of the GEM is its display of the entire contents of the intact tomb of Tutankhamun. This unique exhibit will present all 5,500 artifacts found in the tomb since its discovery by Howard Carter in 1922 for the first time as a complete collection.
“I had to think, how can we show him in a different way because since the discovery of the tomb in 1922, about 1,800 pieces from a total of over 5,500 that were inside the tomb were on display,” says Dr. Tarek Tawfik, president of the International Association of Egyptologists and former head of the GEM.
Dr. Tawfik’s vision is to offer visitors a full experience comparable to what Howard Carter experienced over a century ago, ensuring that the public can appreciate the historical significance of Tutankhamun’s artifacts comprehensively.
Ambitions and Challenges
The GEM project was initiated in 1992 under President Hosni Mubarak but faced numerous obstacles including financial crises, political turmoil following the Arab Spring, and the impacts of regional conflicts. The museum, costing $1.2 billion (£910m; €1.1bn), has taken nearly as long to complete as the Great Pyramid itself.
Despite these challenges, the museum’s completion is seen by some as a victory for Egyptologists’ demands. Dr.
Zahi Hawass, former minister of tourism and antiquities, expressed his joy at seeing the museum open and emphasized that it represents a significant step in the nation’s cultural preservation efforts.
“Now I want two things: number one, museums to stop buying stolen artefacts; number two, I need three objects to come back: the Rosetta Stone from the British Museum, the Zodiac from the Louvre and the Bust of Nefertiti from Berlin.”
Dr. Hawass has launched online petitions with hundreds of thousands of signatures calling for these objects’ repatriation, reflecting a broader debate about historical artifacts and their rightful ownership.
Economic Impact and Future Prospects
The GEM is anticipated to significantly boost Egypt’s tourism industry, which has been grappling with regional instability. The museum’s construction was estimated to attract 8 million visitors annually, providing substantial economic benefits for the country.
“We hope the Grand Egyptian Museum will usher in a new golden age of Egyptology and cultural tourism,” says Ahmed Seddik, a guide and aspiring Egyptologist by the pyramids on the Giza Plateau.
Visitors like Raúl from Spain and Sam from London eagerly anticipate the full public opening on November 4th. They highlight the museum’s potential to attract tourists worldwide due to its iconic collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, positioning it as a must-see destination for anyone interested in Egyptology.
The Grand Egyptian Museum stands not only as a testament to past civilizations but also as an ambitious project that aims to preserve and promote one of humanity’s most intriguing cultural legacies. Its opening marks the beginning of what could be a new era for archaeological tourism, driven by the combined efforts of modern technology and historical reverence.
