The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities (commonly known as the Egyptian Museum), located in Cairo, Egypt, is one of the most famous museums in the world. It is home to over 120,000 artifacts, making up the largest single collection of Egyptian artifacts in the world, and is visited by one and a half million tourists each year.
The history of the museum began in 1835 with the establishment of the Egyptian Antiquities Service, which was created to prevent the looting of artifacts. The initial collection was located in a building near the Azbakian Garden, but was moved in 1858 to a building in Boulaq. Some time after this the artifacts were moved to an annex of the palace in Giza belonging to the ruler of Egypt. They remained in this location until the current building opened in 1902.
Included in the museum's vast number of artifacts is the King Tutankhamen (or “King Tut”) tomb collection, which was the result of one of the most famous discoveries in Egyptology. This collection houses King Tut's sarcophagus and death mask, among many other items. Another famous exhibit in the Egyptian Museum is the Royal Mummy Room, which contains several royal mummies from the time of the pharaohs. This room has a separate entrance fee, and pictures are not allowed. Some of the important mummies displayed are those of Queen Hatshepsut, one of the greatest of the female pharaohs; and Ramses II, who was noted for being one of Egypt's greatest rulers.
Other items of interest in the museum include the library—one of the largest specialized libraries in the world—containing over 42 thousand books; and the photography section.
The ground floor of the museum is laid out in a chronological pattern. Turn left after entering and continue around the level in a clockwise fashion, and you will see artifacts dating from the Old Kingdom all the way up to the Greco-Roman period. There are a large number of coins and manuscripts in this area, including the Narmer Palette, one of the oldest documents ever discovered.
The next level of the museum houses the King Tut exhibit, as well as the Royal Mummy Room. You'll also find many smaller artifacts from ancient Egypt, including household items, amulets, and coffins. Next to the Royal Mummy Room is an exhibit with mummified animals, including birds and cats. Another exhibit on this floor consists of the Middle Kingdom tomb models of armies and boats.
Because of the huge number of artifacts, it is difficult to see or remember everything in one visit. Several visits are recommended so that you can appreciate as much as possible of the museum. Patrons are not permitted to take pictures in the museum unless they pay an extra fee.
The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities is a must-see for anyone interested in archaeology or history, and for anyone interested in learning about ancient cultures. There are no museums that contain more Egyptian artifacts than this one.
For additional resources on the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, refer to the following websites:
George Mason University World History Sources: The Egyptian Museum
Encyclopedia Britannica: Egyptian Museum
Egyptian State Information Service: Virtual Tour of the Egyptian Museum
Bluffton University: Works from The Egyptian Museum at Cairo