In the very heart of the Cairo the massive Egyptian Museum can be found just off revolutionary Tahrir Square. This metropolitan museum houses millennia of antiquities and it is impossible not to feel awe struck by the extent of history that this building contains. As we entered we could not help but think of the excitement Carter and Carnarvon must have felt when they discovered the treasure trove of King Tut’s tomb.
The museum is split into a number of different galleries, the sheer number of artefacts makes it impossible to take everything in over one visit. The labelling and interpretation is sparse however the quality of the collection is unrivalled. We found it useful to have our guidebook to hand which included a chronology of the dynasties. This allowed us to fully appreciate the impressive length of Ancient Egyptian society and rule.
As expected there is a wealth of royal archaeological remains. The painted wooden sarcophagi date from the first dynasty and are extraordinarily preserved with hieroglyphics almost as bright and bold as the day they were the drawn. This museum not only houses royal remains but one of the collections that we found most interesting: the artefacts from everyday life. Including tarnished metal faced mirrors, much loved combs, farming tools, and ceramic pots and bowls worn from daily use by families centuries ago. There is even a woven bed with a string frame still in-tact, similar to some of those we slept on during our trip. Intricately carved, minuscule amulets, given as gifts of protection conjured up a sense of the social bonds that existed in ancient Egypt. An extensive assortment of papyrus details the beliefs of the people and illustrates the organisation and sophistication of this society. It is also notable in terms of its preservation given its delicate nature. Massive stone colossi watch over the collection as if guardians of the treasure that represents different tiers of society and all walks of life.
An undoubted highlight of the visit and in fact the whole trip was getting the chance to see King Tutankhamen and his bountiful burial trove. Bejewelled and golden it is extraordinary that this remarkable hoard belongs to a lesser king and mindboggling to imagine what has been lost and looted from other tombs. King Tut was buried with everything he might possibly need in the afterlife including: ornate furniture such as a bed, chests of drawers and stools, beautiful statues and figurines made to serve and protect him in the afterlife, jewellery, a wig-box, and of course four Canopic jars that would have contained his internal organs. All of this is covered in hieroglyphics detailing his journey to the afterlife and much of it was gilded in gold.
Although his grave goods were stunningly impressive, coming face to face with the immaculate, striped blue and gold, death-mask that would have adorned his embalmed body was an incredible moment. This solid-gold mask depicts a face that makes you feel that you would recognise him in life. Having grown up with images of this iconic relic seeing his death-mask in real life was actually quite emotional.
It was also interesting to learn the stories of other less well known royalty such as Yuya and Thuyu; the parents of Queen Tiye and King Tut’s great grandparents, two commoners who became royal in-laws. Their great burial hoard was found virtually intact and is one of the most spectacular finds in Ancient Egypt. Unlike King Tut, whose mummified body has been reburied in his tomb, Yuya and Thuyu’s mummies are both on display. We found it quite strange that people wanted to take selfies with these bodies and wondered what Thuyu and Yuya would have felt about this.
If you interested in Ancient Egypt this museum is unmissable and if you are not then you are guaranteed to leave inspired to learn more.
