The Egyptian Museum

Reputed to be one of the great museums of the world, my first impression was it did not compare to the Louvre, or the Field Museum in Chicago since it was solely dedicated to Egyptian artifacts. But, there is no comparison to the amount or quality, of artifacts on display which is a few paltry thousand or so of the total collection of over 165,000 items.

But, from tiny burial statuettes to enormous statues over 30 feet high, dozens of sarcophagi, royal mummy displays, hundreds of fragments of hieroglyphics, jewelry, daily household goods and of course the treasures of Tutankhamen, there simply is no equal in the world.

The Tutankhamen display covers about 30% of the second floor and in itself is unbelievable. Considering the “Boy King” was a minor figure and ruled for just a few years, the amount of items and treasure found in his tomb were small in comparison compared to the pharaohs who ruled for decades and had a greater impact on their people. Unfortunately, their tombs were raided in antiquity so we have no idea of the wealth they took to the grave. What is amazing in the Tut exhibits is not only the artifacts of gold, precious stones and silver, but the everyday items found in the tomb. Clothing made of fine cloth, chariots, hundreds of amulets and funerary statuettes, hunting bows, arrows, knives, thrones, model boats, beds, games, and the list goes on. There are so many objects it is hard to take it all in.

Next to the museum is a burned out hulk of a building from the revolution, but the people protected the museum and kept Mubarak’s thugs from stealing the treasures. It was interesting talking to people who were so proud of their actions forcing Mubarak and his cronies out of the country, and their hopes for a democratic society. One of our waiters described how they cleaned up Tahrir Square, repainted and tried to return everything to normal.

Egypt is gradually returning to normal, but still has a long way to go, but there is so much hope for the future. Most of the people we talked to were very interested in how the outside world saw their actions and judged them. I think they have been so beaten down and kept in a frightened state; they are like little children looking for acceptance.