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The Egyptian Museum also known Cairo Museum is the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East, and houses the largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world located in the heart of Tahrir Square, Cairo. The museum displays an extensive collection spanning from the Predynastic Period to the Graeco-Roman Era.

The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities is a unique building designed to host the world’s oldest collection of Pharaonic art and monuments. Built on an area of 13,600 sq. meters, with more than 100 exhibition halls, the museum is a product of a competition launched by the Egyptian Government in 1895 and thus it is considered the first national museum in the Middle East.

The star exhibit has for the best part of a century been the treasure’s of Tutankhamun’s tomb (discovered in 1922) which occupy two whole galleries on the upper floor. However this arrangement will soon change as the entire Tutankhamun collection (along with several other important pieces) will be transferred to the new Grand Egyptian Museum currently being prepared in Giza.

Is the new Grand Egyptian Museum open yet?

Known as the GEM for short, the Grand Egyptian Museum scheduled for opening its doors next June 2023 at the foot of the Giza pyramids near Cairo. Inside, visitors will be able to get a close-up look at more than 100,000 pieces, including every last piece of Tutankhamun’s treasure.

The Great Sphinx with the Pyramid of Khafre behind at Giza
The Great Sphinx with the Pyramid of Khafre behind at Giza

Do I need a guide for the Egyptian Museum?

Some important things to note. Guides are available at the museum. They will be milling around the entrance and you can pay to have them walk you through the museum, giving you a more detailed explanation of the artifacts on show. There is no café at the Egyptian Museum.

Interior of the Main Hall of the Cairo Museum
Interior of the Main Hall of the Cairo Museum

How much is entrance fee to Egyptian Museum?

The Egyptian Museum opens its doors for visiting seven days a week, from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm, noting that the ticket office closes at 4:15 pm. Entry Fees for Egyptians and Arabs
30 EGP for persons and 10 EGP for students.

Entry Fees for foreigners

Visitors: 200 EGP and 100 EGP for students. Photography and video: personal use without flash are allowed. Photography is not allowed in Tutankhamun’s Mask hall and treasures of Tanis halls.

Free entrance for children under 6 years

Who founded the Egyptian Museum in Cairo?

Auguste Mariette in the 19th century. Initially embarking on a career as a lecturer, Mariette was soon captured by his true passion, ancient Egypt, and in 1850, during his first trip to the land of the pharaohs, he discovered the entrance to the Serapeum at Memphis, the underground necropolis of the sacred Api bulls.​ Mariette also had an innate talent for drawing, a technical skill that would prove decisive almost 25 years later when she studied the sketches for the sets and costumes of Aida.​

Is the Egyptian Museum open on Sundays?

Openings Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm every day. Ticket Office: 8:30 am – 4:15 pm.

The Goddess Isis. The Keystone of the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities or the Egyptian Museum in Cairo
The Goddess Isis. The Keystone of the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities or the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, sculpted by Ferdinand Faivre (French 1860-1937). Photo: Richard Deurer

Where is the civilization of ancient Egypt located?

Northeastern Africa

Ancient Egypt was located in Northeastern Africa and had four clear geographic zones: the Delta, the Western Desert, the Eastern Desert, and the Nile Valley. Each of these zones had its own natural environment and its own role within the Egyptian State.

What is the origin of Egyptian civilization?

Ancient Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first king of the First Dynasty, Narmer. Predominantly native Egyptian rule lasted until the conquest by the Achaemenid Empire in the sixth century BC.

Are Egyptians Arabs?

The Egyptians are not Arabs, and both they and the Arabs are aware of this fact. They are Arabic-speaking, and they are Muslim—indeed religion plays a greater part in their lives than it does in those either of the Syrians or the Iraqi.

What is ancient Egypt known for?

The ancient Egyptian civilization, famous for its pyramids, pharaohs, mummies, and tombs, flourished for thousands of years.

Map of Egypt during the New Kingdom, c. 1450 BC. (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Map of ancient Egypt during the New Kingdom, c. 1450 BC. (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Why was Egypt so successful?

The success of ancient Egyptian civilization came partly from its ability to adapt to the conditions of the Nile River valley for agriculture. The predictable flooding and controlled irrigation of the fertile valley produced surplus crops, which supported a more dense population, and social development and culture.

What is the old name of Egypt?

To the ancient Egyptians themselves, their country was simply known as Kemet or KMT, which means ‘Black Land’, so named for the rich, dark soil along the Nile River where the first settlements began.

What did ancient Egypt do for fun?

The ancient Egyptians would hold competitions like juggling, swimming, rowing, dancing, pageants, wrestling, and javelin which were very entertaining popular spectator sports. One of the most famous activities was hunting and fishing which took courage and patience.

Did ancient Egypt have music?

Music played a very important part in ancient Egyptian life. From all periods there are scenes in temples and tombs showing musicians playing. Deities were praised in songs and many women of the elite had titles such as ‘Chantress of Amun’, demonstrating the importance of music in the cults of the gods.

Why is Egypt so important?

Egypt is very famous for its ancient civilization and the monuments of the majestic pharaohs, such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, the GEM (The Grand Egyptian Museum), Saqqara, and Dahshur.

How many gods did Ancient Egypt have?

The ancient Egyptians worshiped over 1,400 different gods and goddesses in their shrines, temples, and homes. These deities were the center of a religion lasting over three thousand years!

Exploring an Underground Burial Chamber Exploring an underground burial chamber near the Pyramids of Giza, date 1925.
Exploring an Underground Burial Chamber Exploring an underground burial chamber near the Pyramids of Giza, date 1925.

Who built the pyramids?

the Egyptians

It was the Egyptians who built the pyramids. The Great Pyramid is dated with all the evidence to 4,600 years, the reign of Khufu. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is one of 104 pyramids in Egypt with superstructure. And there are 54 pyramids with substructure.

What did the Egyptian invent?

This civilization has been credited with MANY inventions that really changed the world and are still used today. Some of the inventions include writing (hieroglyphs), ink, make up, advancement in medicine, toothpaste, door lock, plow, calendar, and sundial to name a few.

Did Egypt invent beer?

Beer was a result of the Agricultural Revolution (Opens in new window) (c. 10,000 BC), as fermentation was an accidental by-product of the gathering of wild grain. It’s said that beer was not invented but discovered, yet the manufacturing of beer was an active choice and the ancient Egyptians produced and consumed it in huge volumes.

What foods did Egyptians eat?

There were also fruits, such as dates, figs, pomegranates, melons and grapes, and honey was produced for sweetening desserts. The Egyptian diet was supplemented by fish, fowl and meat, although peasants probably enjoyed meat only on special occasions. Domesticated animals raised for food included pigs, sheep and goats.

Why did Egypt worship cats?

Ancient Egyptians worshiped many animals for thousands of years. Animals were revered for different reasons. Dogs were valued for their ability to protect and hunt, but cats were thought to be the most special. Egyptians believed cats were magical creatures, capable of bringing good luck to the people who housed them.

Who was the last Pharaoh?

Cleopatra VII

Cleopatra VII Philopator, often simply called “Cleopatra” was the last of a series of rulers called the Ptolemies who ruled ancient Egypt for nearly 300 years. She ruled an empire that included Egypt, Cyprus, part of modern-day Libya and other territories in the Middle East.