The boy who became famous 3000 years after his death!
The golden mask that signifies Egypt across the world!
The discovery that started the legend of the Mummy!
Is a visit to Cairo or Egypt for that matter complete without a glimpse of these?
Here is the catch - Cairo has a lot of museums - but these artefacts are housed in the old Egyptian Museum near Tahrir Square until the new museum complex at Giza is ready. Most Indian tour operators now prefer taking people to the new Museum of Civilization as it is easier to manage and less time consuming.
Cost is 200 Egyptian Pounds for foreign tourists (about INR 570 in March 2023). We didn't have to pay separate charges for mobile phone cameras. There are no restrictions on photography except in the rooms containing the golden exhibits.
While a guided tour is advisable if short on time, one can do the museum at a leisurely pace on their own as well. There is a big shop for souvenirs and books.
Almost all of ancient Egyptian art on display is funerary art that has been taken from the various tombs discovered over the past few centuries. Tutankhamun became the poster boy of ancient Egypt as his was the first tomb discovered intact by Europeans.
Tutankhamun's stuff is on the second floor with a gallery of its own. His mummy will be housed at the new museum.
Some of the other must-see pieces are:
1. The tomb walls at the entrance...check out the detailing of the food items.
2. Artefacts from the oldest Egyptian pyramid that is located at Saqqara.
3. Painting of the geese. Although thousands of years have passed they seem like they have just been painted.
4. The only known statue of the king for whom the Great Pyramid of Giza was built for - all of six inches.
5. The family of the dwarf.
6. The scribe found in most souvenir shops.
7. Tutankhamun's Gallery
8. Tutankhamun's chair.
9. Box from his tomb.
10. An aging king.
11. The queen who ruled Egypt.
12. Ancient Egyptian gold.
