MENAM Archaeology teamed up with Wendy who runs the Instagram account Egypteverafter to get the locals favourite picks and tips for visiting the Egyptian museum.
A massive sun-kissed sphinx greets you as you enter the courtyard of the Egyptian Museum. Cleopatra, the last Pharaoh of Egypt, stares down at you just above the doors. Upon entering the main floor, it's apparent the museum is a time capsule as much as the artifacts it houses. While everyone comes to the museum to see King Tutankhamun’s golden mask, many more treasures are worth discovering.
Here are my top picks and tips to ensure you have the best experience possible during your visit to the Egyptian Museum!
Welcome to the Egyptian Museum in Cario!
What to See?
· The Akhenaten Gallery.
· Unfinished Bust of Nefertiti.
· Prince Rahotep and Nofret.
· Ka Statue of King Hor.
· Set & Horus Blessing Ramesses lll.
· Deir el-Bahari Cache, including the Priests of Montu and the Coffin of Queen Ahmose-Meritamun.
Colossi of Akhenaten
Akhenaten (reigned c. 1353–1336 BCE) was the Pharaoh who created a new religion favoring one god called the Aten, a solar disc representing an aspect of the sun god Ra. This was a foreign concept for ancient Egyptians, with their pantheon of deities!
In the Akhenaten gallery, he is shown holding the crook & flail, the symbols of divine kingship. What's fascinating about these sandstone figures is that they depict the Pharaoh in a new style of art known during what is called the Amarna Period (ca. 1353 -1336 BCE).
Compared to Akhenaten, all the pharaohs before him look the same as each other! Ancient Egyptians must have been shocked to see the unusual, exaggerated features of the Pharaoh.
Whist Akhenaten in his own right is very interesting, did you know King Tutankhamun was the son of Akhenaten? Although Tutankhamun didn't accomplish much during his short reign, he's famous for yielding the most significant intact tomb ever found.
The gallery of Akhenaten is on the first floor, make sure you don't miss it!
Unfinished Bust of Nefertiti
You may recognize the famous bust of Queen Nefertiti with the tall colorful crown, but have you seen this equally gorgeous unfinished quartzite masterpiece?
Nefertiti, the chief royal wife of Akhenaten, is shown with her signature fine features and regal posture. The unfinished bust of Nefertiti was found in the workshop of Thutmose, the royal sculptor during the Amarna Period, and thus the queen lives on for eternity.
There are a few indicators that this is in fact a depiction of Nefertiti: not only that the bust was found in Amarna, but also the elements of Nefertiti’s facial features are visible despite the piece being unfinished - her high cheekbones, slanting eyes, arched brows, full mouth and slender neck.Interestingly enough, it seems like her lips had been painted before the piece was actually finished.
Prince Rahotep and Nofret
Prince Rahotep is thought to be the son of King Snefru (reigned c. 2613 to 2589 BCE) and the brother of Khufu, the builder and owner of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Prince Rahotep wears a thin fashionable mustache with a white kilt and a rigid pose typical of Old Kingdom (c. 2686 – 2181 BCE) art. Nofret, a royal acquaintance of the prince, wears a white linen sheath that shows off her voluptuous figure with a stunning broad collar and flower diadem over her thick wig.
You will have to catch your breath when you see this magnificent limestone statue; their eyes draw you into the mystery of their ancient story.
This exquisite statue is on the main floor; don't miss out!
Ka Statue of King Hor
The wooden Ka statue of King Hor (reigned c. 1777 BC until 1775 BC) is located on the main floor) symbolizes the soul of the king, preserved for eternity. The haunting crystal & quartz eyes of the king give you a vivid sense of the king's desire to live forever in paradise, or the field of reeds as they called it.
What was the function of the Ka statue in Ancient Egypt?
Ancient Egyptians believed a person's Ka was the part of the soul that kept their spirit alive in the afterlife. The Ka, or guardian spirit, had to survive within the Ka statue to keep its owner alive. The Ka hieroglyph is represented as two upraised arms held in a square.
Seth and Horus Blessing Ramesses III
This life-size granite statue on the first floor shows the coronation of Pharaoh Ramesses III. Flanked by the gods Horus and Seth, they offer blessings upon the Pharaoh. The king holds an Ankh, the famous ancient Egyptian symbol for eternal life.
This statue is a powerful example of the ritual, tradition, and royal divinity bestowed upon the Pharaoh by the gods.
Deir el-Bahari Cache
The Deir el-Bahri Cache contains several objects, all well worth a look!
If you fancy extraordinary coffin decoration, head over to the Deir el-Bahari Cache and the Priests of Montu on the second floor because you won’t be disappointed. By the Third Intermediate Period of ancient Egypt, coffin art was at its height.
Be ready to have your mind blown!
She was the chief wife of Amenhotep I in the New Kingdom, and her outer coffin is a must-see. Her name means "Born of the Moon and Beloved of Amun". Queen Ahmose-Meritamun’s coffin is over 3 meters long!
The body of the cedar wood coffin is royal blue giving the appearance of feathers, symbolizing truth, royalty, and divine status.
Wendy at Egypteverafter’s top 6 Tips for Visiting the Museum:
● Photography & Video - Mobile photography is allowed, and digital photography is free but subject to change. Video of any kind is prohibited. It's forbidden to photograph the golden mask of Tutankhamun. However, some items may be photographed.
● Professional Photography Tip - I recommend arriving later and staying until close because the crowds start to clear out of the museum around three. In this way, you have a better chance to snap photos without lots of people in them.
● There is no air-conditioning in the museum, so dress accordingly. Additionally, there is no food or drink, so bring a snack & water.
● Remember that artifacts within the museum are constantly being shifted around or moved to the GEM (the new Grand Egyptian Museum - not yet open). The information you see on the museum website is likely outdated.
● If you go first thing in the morning, visit King Tut & Akhenaten's gallery first because they get crowded fast.
● Tipping Culture - Bring some small change to tip the bathroom attendants.
Although the Egyptian Museum is divided by periods or kingdoms, it feels like one big archaeological site! You can easily spend the day here, but consider planning what you want to see if you only have a few hours. My best advice is to consider what you want to see most because it can be overwhelming once you're inside.
Most importantly, enjoy every minute of your chance to connect with the mysterious world of ancient Egypt!
Text: Wendy Bradfield. MENAM Archaeology. Copyright 2022.
Image: Wendy Bradfield.
If you love Egypt, make sure you follow Wendy on Instagram at Egypteverafter!
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