Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The golden coffin of Pharaoh Tutankhamun has been officially unveiled at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), marking a milestone in the preservation and celebration of Egypt’s ancient heritage. The museum, located near the pyramids in Giza on the outskirts of Cairo, opened its doors on November 2, with public access beginning November 4, the anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.
Tutankhamun, who ascended the throne at just nine years old and died at the age of 19, is the centerpiece of a 7,000-square-meter exhibition space dedicated entirely to his life and reign. The pharaoh’s collection includes some of ancient Egypt’s most iconic treasures: three sarcophagi, six chariots, his golden throne, a gilded sarcophagus, and the world-renowned funerary mask crafted from gold, quartz, lapis lazuli, and colored glass.
According to Zahi Hawass, former Minister of Antiquities and prominent Egyptian archaeologist, Tutankhamun’s collection is the museum’s “masterpiece” and the key draw for visitors worldwide.
The Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest in the world dedicated to ancient Egyptian civilization, took 20 years to complete and represents an investment of over 800 million euros. Its striking triangular glass façade echoes the nearby pyramids, while the permanent exhibition space spans 24,000 square meters across six floors. At the entrance, a massive granite statue of Ramses II, one of Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, welcomes visitors, leading them through a series of galleries displaying artifacts from prehistory through the Roman era.
In addition to Tutankhamun’s treasures, the museum showcases more than 50,000 artifacts, offering a detailed portrait of life in ancient Egypt. Visitors can also traverse a bridge connecting the museum directly to the Giza Plateau, providing unparalleled views of the pyramids and the Sphinx. A large staircase in the atrium, flanked by ancient statues, guides guests through the main galleries, enhancing the immersive historical experience.
Preparations for the museum’s grand opening were shrouded in secrecy. Security measures around Cairo were heightened, and a public holiday was declared. The inauguration ceremony included a staged performance described by Egyptian media as a “global symphony of humanity,” attended by numerous world leaders. The museum itself had been occasionally open for smaller visits but was closed for the final two weeks leading up to the official opening.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi described the GEM as a fusion of “the genius of ancient Egyptians with the creativity of modern Egyptians,” emphasizing its role as a new cultural landmark that will advance global appreciation of civilization and art. The museum is part of a broader initiative by the Egyptian government to revitalize the surrounding area, including road improvements, a new metro station, and the recently opened Sphinx International Airport, enhancing access for visitors from around the world.
The GEM is also a major boost for Egypt’s tourism sector and economy, which suffered from years of stagnation following the Arab Spring and the global COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism is a crucial source of revenue for the country, contributing around 8% of GDP in 2022. With the GEM’s opening, authorities anticipate around 18 million tourists this year, with a long-term goal of attracting 30 million annually by 2032.
The exhibition of Tutankhamun’s artifacts marks the first time his entire collection, discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922, is being presented together. The museum’s curators aim to provide a comprehensive narrative of the young pharaoh’s life, reign, and enduring legacy, making the GEM a centerpiece of cultural preservation and global tourism for decades to come.
