The Grand Egyptian Museum near the Pyramids of Giza has been in the development stage for several years and is one of the most anticipated cultural projects in the world. Originally slated to open in 2022, the museum’s opening has faced several delays. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is one of the largest and most ambitious museums dedicated to ancient Egyptian history and it is expected to be a key destination for tourists, scholars and anyone interested in Egypt’s rich past.
After several years of postponing its anticipated opening the museum is now partially opened to visitors, inviting all enthusiasts of Egyptology to immerse in the splendours of the Egyptians. The GEM is on a 480,000 square-metre site, just two kilometres from the Great Pyramids of Giza offering spectacular views of these ancient wonders of the world.
Its proximity to the pyramids makes it an ideal location to showcase Egypt’s most significant archaeological and historical treasures. Coined as the world’s largest archaeological museum devoted to one civilisation, the GEM maintains over 50,000 artefacts. These are said to comprise the full Tutankhamun collection of almost 5,300 items, while another 30,000 are in temporary rotating exhibitions while 15,000 artefacts are now on display in the newly opened main galleries.
Architectural design
Main staircase
The museum’s design is the result of collaboration between Egyptian and international architects, led by the design firm Heneghan Peng Architects from Ireland. The building itself combines modern and traditional architectural styles, with sleek, contemporary lines and a use of glass and stone to create an open, airy structure that complements the surrounding ancient monuments. The exterior design reflects elements of ancient Egyptian architecture, such as hieroglyphic symbols and other references to Egypt’s rich cultural heritage.
The design is said to be based on a U-shape with a large central courtyard and wings radiating from it and features three primary levels; the lower level will house the temporary exhibits and administrative spaces. The upper levels will focus on permanent collections, including galleries for the famous treasures of King Tutankhamen, mummies, and other major artefacts from ancient Egypt. The main hall will offer grand views of the pyramids and will be the central space where visitors begin their journey. The museum’s overall design is modern and minimalist, with clean lines and simple forms that reflect contemporary trends in architecture.
The sleek exterior is said to feature a combination of glass and stone, which provides a visually striking, contrast to the ancient monuments nearby while ensuring that the design does not overpower the surroundings. A significant inspiration to the museum’s architecture is said to come from ancient Egyptian structures, especially the pyramids. The building’s exterior reportedly features geometric, triangular shapes, subtly echoing the iconic form of the pyramids themselves. The triangular roof of the museum, in particular, has been designed to resemble a giant slanted pyramid, symbolically linking the museum to Egypt’s ancient past.
Natural light
Main atrium with the statue of Ramses II
A notable feature of the museum’s design is reportedly its emphasis on natural light. Large glass facades allow sunlight to enter the interior spaces, giving the building a sense of openness and connection to the outside world. The extensive use of glass is said to create transparency and allows visitors to enjoy panoramic views of the Giza Plateau, particularly from the museum’s central courtyard and upper galleries.
Upon entering the museum, visitors are said to be greeted to a vast open space, leading to a dramatic grand staircase taking featuring more than 60 large statues, stelae(an upright stone slab or column typically bearing a commemorative inscription or relief design, often serving as a gravestone) doorways, columns and sarcophagi. The design of the entrance space is said to set the tone for the GEM museum experience.
The Galleries
After decades of anticipation 12 galleries of the GEM are now open to the public. The galleries are arranged according to theme and are in chronological order. Galleries from one to three cover the Prehistoric Period, Predynastic Period, Early Dynastic Period, Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period from around 700,000 BCE to 2,034 BCE. Galleries from four to six will include the Middle Kingdom and the Second Intermediate Period between 2,034 BCE and 1,550 BCE, while galleries seven to nine will display the New Kingdom between 1,550 BCE and 1,069 BCE. The final galleries, 10 to 12, will showcase the Graeco-Roman Period, Late Period and Third Intermediate Period between 1,069 BCE and 394 CE.
The museum curators have woven an engaging story taking the subject matters of society, kingship and beliefs when recounting the story of the Egyptian people. For example, it is reported that the ancient prehistoric society comes to life with the depiction of hunting and farming tools and paintings detailing the daily life of prehistoric Egyptians.
Museum with the three great pyramids in the background
While the statue of kohl-lined eyes of the Scribe Nefer harks back to a time almost 4500 years ago when writing texts on papyri first began. In the fourth Gallery it is said will house the god of the underworld Osiris which supports the theme of the afterlife, while the theme of kingship takes us back to a time where Egypt was united under the banner of a single Pharaoh with massive statues placed across temples in Egypt.
Modern multimedia displays in between galleries adds an interactive dimension to the well organized set up of the museum, the displays showcase how the Pyramids of Giza were constructed over approximately 500 years, developing from modest mud-brick mastabas to magnificent stone edifices While another re-imagines the Tomb Chapel of Khnumhotep II, an elaborately decorated tomb of a chief during the Middle Kingdom of Amenemhat II and Senwosret II, in Beni Hasan nearly 300 kilometres south of Cairo.
Museum highlights
However, its prized Tutankhamun collection and the two King Khufu solar boats will remain out of sight until the official opening is to be announced. The treasures of King Tutankhamun, will undoubtedly be one of biggest draws once the museum is opened, as the most famous pharaoh of ancient Egypt. This gallery will showcase over 5,000 artefacts from the tomb of Tutankhamun, many of which have never been displayed before. Some of the key pieces set to be included in the collection are the golden death mask of Tutankhamun, perhaps the most famous artefact from the tomb and will be the centrepiece of the gallery. The museum will feature various personal items of the boy king, offering a glimpse into his royal life, burial practices, and the artistry of the 18th dynasty. The collection will also include pieces related to the rituals surrounding his death, such as the king’s sarcophagus and the canopic jars.
Royal Mummies Gallery
The GEM will have a special Royal Mummies Gallery, which will house the mummies of some of Egypt’s most famous rulers, including those of the New Kingdom (18th to 20th Dynasties). This gallery will offer an intimate look at the ancient Egyptian practice of mummification and the elaborate funerary rituals that surrounded it. The mummies on display will include notable pharaohs such as: Ramses II (Ramses the Great), Seti I, Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh, Amenhotep II and other prominent royal figures. Visitors will be able to view the mummies up close, accompanied by explanations of the mummification process, its spiritual significance and the preservation of these royal remains.
Open air atrium
The Queen Hetepheres’ display, which was reportedly found in a secret burial room close to the Great Pyramid of her son Khufu, includes her bed, chair, sarcophagus, canopic jars and a box of bracelets. The super-sized statue of Queen Hetepheres presenting pots to the state god Amun-Re is said to be one of the most beautiful in the collection. She became regent to her nephew Thutmose III and was subsequently crowned joint ruler and was one of the most famous female pharaohs of Egypt.
The specialised gallery focusing on the Amarna Period (circa 1350 BCE), which was marked by the reign of Akhenaten and his queen Nefertiti is said to be another piece of work to look out for. During this period, it is said that there was a dramatic shift in religious practices, with the worship of the god Aten replacing traditional polytheistic beliefs. Art from this period is notable for its more naturalistic style, which departs from traditional Egyptian art. The gallery will feature sculptures of Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and their children. Pieces found in Tell el-Amarna, the capital built by Akhenaten, will also be displayed, offering a glimpse into the period’s unique cultural and artistic characteristics.
Fostering global appreciation
As one of the largest and most ambitious museums dedicated to any single civilisation, the GEM is set to play a critical role in not only preserving Egypt’s ancient history but also in fostering greater global appreciation of its cultural contributions. Expected to fully open soon, the GEM will undoubtedly become a central hub for tourists, scholars, and enthusiasts, offering a deeper, more immersive way to engage with the timeless legacy of Egypt.
As it prepares to open its doors, the Grand Egyptian Museum stands as a symbol of Egypt’s commitment to cultural preservation and global cultural exchange, providing future generations with a chance to experience the wonders of ancient Egypt like never before.
