The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization stands as a beacon of heritage, inviting visitors from across the globe to journey through time and discover the profound legacy of one of the world’s oldest and most enigmatic cultures. Establishing the museum dates back to 1982 when UNESCO & the Nubia Museum in Aswan initiated the idea. In 1999, the current site for the Museum of Civilization in Fustat was chosen, and the foundation stone for the museum building was laid in 2002. The museum covers an area of approximately 33.5 acres, including 130,000 square meters of buildings. It is expected to house 50,000 artifacts spanning various periods of ancient Egyptian history to contemporary times.
The museum showcases the achievements of the Egyptian people in various fields of life from ancient times to the present day. It features exhibits, photographs, manuscripts, oil paintings, artistic treasures, and artifacts from the Stone Age, Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic, Arab, and Sudanese civilizations, and the modern era. The museum site also features a rare natural lake known as Lake Ain El-Sira. It includes storage facilities equipped with state-of-the-art scientific technologies, similar to renowned international museums such as the Louvre and the British Museum.
The Museum will officially open in 2021.
On April 3, 2021, Egypt witnessed a unique event where 22 royal mummies were transferred from the Egyptian Museum to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization through the streets of Cairo. The four kings whose mummies were relocated to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization include Seti I, his son Ramesses II, Merenptah, and Seti II.
Location
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) is located in the heart of Cairo within the iconic area of Fustat, which represents the site of Egypt’s first Muslim capital. The museum’s strategic location overlooks Ain Al-Sira, which is one of the oldest natural lakes in Cairo. It is within a short distance from key historical sites, including the Coptic Museum and the Islamic Art Museum. It is not only a reflection of the past but also a bridge to the future. The NMEC offers a comprehensive narrative of Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times to the present day.
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization houses a vast collection of artifacts and exhibits that span over 5,000 years of Egyptian history. The museum’s main exhibition, “The History of Egypt,” takes visitors on a journey through time to learn about the cultural influences and achievements that have shaped Egypt’s identity. From ancient Pharaonic dynasties to the Islamic era, the exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of Egypt’s rich history.
Museum Concept
The idea behind building the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) goes back to King Farouk era from 1938 to 1949. At that time, the king insisted on building a museum to showcase all documents about Egyptian civilization. In 1982, after the UNESCO international campaign, the idea of building the museum revived. Within 17 years later, they selected the museum location & its instruction began in 2000. The museum establishment aims to be a cultural, scientific, civilizational & research center for local & regional & international community engagement.
Museum Design and Architecture
The architectural design of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) is inspired by designs in the Egyptian fields & supported by architectural engineering and modern technology. It was designed by Dr. Ghazali Kassab, who won international competitions with his projects in 1984. This museum consists of many floors with a hall in the shape of a pyramid. This hall called the” Pyramid Hall” or the “Panorama Hall,” houses about nine 3D screens installed on its walls. These screens display the Egyptian Pharaonic history & artifacts through sound and image. By going there, you will find a miniature model of the museum within all its halls to isolate you from any outsider noise, which will allow you to enjoy your time inside.
The museum has nine large halls that show Egyptian civilization from the Pharaonic era to the present time. Its temporary exhibition is now open & soon the royal mummies & main hall will be opened too. You will find halls named the Nile, the Capital, Dawn of Civilization, and Beliefs & Ideas, which will gradually open soon. The available collection represents historical significance in covering main periods like Greco-Roman, Pharaonic, Ancient, Islamic, Coptic, Contemporary, & Modern. The museum also offers temporary exhibition space related to the development of Cairo city to serve various events that include film screenings, lectures, conferences, & other cultural activities.
The museum houses nine large halls
The museum has nine large halls that serve as a series of chronological gateways, each reflecting a different era of Egypt’s storied past. All visitors move from one hall to the next & traverse through time to witness the ebb & flow of dynasties, the revolutions of art and culture, and the steady advancement of technology. Each space is crafted to reflect the spirit of its respective epoch. The artifacts within these halls are displayed with a reverence that tells a compelling visual story of Egypt, inviting observers to step back into history and walk among the ancients. These halls are not just exhibition spaces but sanctuaries where the legacy of one of the world’s oldest civilizations is preserved and celebrated.
Museum Halls
- Temporary Exhibition Hall: Showcases Egyptian crafts throughout history.
- Central Exhibition Hall: Provides an overview of Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times to the present.
- Capital Museum (Glass Pyramid): Exhibits the history of Cairo.
- Dawn of Civilization Hall: Introduces the earliest aspects of Egyptian civilization.
- Nile Exhibition Hall: Explores the significance of the Nile River in Egyptian history.
- Writing and Science Hall: Highlights Egyptian contributions to writing and various sciences.
- Material Culture Hall: Displays architectural, artistic, and cultural artifacts.
- State and Society Hall: Examines the relationship between government and society in Egypt.
- Thought and Belief Hall: Explores Egyptian beliefs and their impact on society.
Hall of Royal Mummies
The royal mummies hall will include about 22 royal mummies & royal coffins from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square. These mummies date back to the 17th, 16th, 18th & 20th dynasties. Some of the mummies available for kings & queens include King Seti I, King Amenhotep, King Ramses II & king Seti II. the room reflects the concept of “burial” in the ancient Egyptian civilization, along with the mummification methods & their wrapping. When you go there, you will embark on a journey to the Pharaonic kings. The hall is equipped with informative panels & directional signs. The mummies will be displayed through multimedia screens and graphic panels, presented in a unique way accompanied by interactive screens and 3D holograms.
The Four Kings Mummies
- King Seti I:
King Seti I’s mummy was discovered in 1881 in the Royal Cache at Deir el-Bahari, west of Luxor. It is estimated that King Seti I died in his forties. He was the son of King Ramesses I, the founder of the 19th Dynasty of the New Kingdom. Seti I ruled Egypt for at least twenty-one years. In the heart of the Hall of Royal Mummies, the mummy of King Seti I is encapsulated within his eternal resting place. The preservation of Seti I in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization serves as a significant connection to the Pharaonic era, allowing us to glimpse into the life and death of a ruler who shaped the very foundations of ancient Egypt.
- King Ramesses II:
King Ramesses II’s mummy was also found in the Royal Cache at Deir el-Bahari in 1881. Examination indicated that he died at approximately ninety years old. Ramesses II is one of the most famous pharaohs of the New Kingdom and one of Egypt’s greatest warriors. He succeeded his father, Seti I, and ruled from about the age of twenty-three to twenty-five until about the age of ninety, leaving a vast legacy of monuments and inscriptions. King Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, was present in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and was nothing short of monumental.
The mummy of Ramesses II carefully conserved within the museum, is a testament to the complexities of Egyptian embalming techniques and the reverence held for a ruler who achieved greatness as a warrior, diplomat, and city-builder. His contributions to Egypt’s storied past include colossal monuments and temples, such as the famous Abu Simbel, and his depictions in the Hall of Royal Mummies serve to educate and inspire awe in the streams of visitors that come to pay homage to this iconic figure of antiquity.
- King Merenptah:
King Merenptah, the thirteenth son of Ramesses II, ascended to the throne of Egypt during a time of great prosperity. His rule, though overshadowed by that of his father, was marked by Achievements in maintaining Egypt’s empire and his victory over invading Libyan tribes, immortalized in the Merenptah Stele. In the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, his mummy provides an intriguing chapter in the story of Egypt’s mighty rulers. When you go there, you can struck by the detailed mummification process that has preserved his features for millennia. His mummy was discovered in 1898 in the tomb of Amenhotep II (KV35) in the Valley of the Kings at Luxor. Studies have revealed that he died at the age of about sixty.
- King Seti II:
King Seti II was the son of King Merenptah and the fifth king of the 19th Dynasty of the New Kingdom. He ruled for approximately six years. His mummy was found in 1898 in the tomb of Amenhotep II. His mummy, remarkably preserved, offers not only a poignant reminder of human mortality but also a silent narrative of ancient Egyptian religious beliefs, their funerary arts, and the deep-seated respect for the divine pharaohs. The features of King Seti II’s face have been well preserved, and small faience amulets were found wrapped around the lower part of the mummy. In the museum, artifacts from Seti II’s rule are invaluable keys to understanding the subtle undercurrents of Egyptian politics and society during a time of transition.
Artifacts
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is a veritable treasure trove of artifacts that chronicle the sweeping saga of Egypt through the ages. One of the main artifacts to be displayed in the museum is the collection of pottery known as Black-Topped Ware that dates back to the pre-dynastic era, approximately 7000 years ago, still retaining its shape, quality, and luster. It also includes “Fayence,” which is a ceramic coated with a shiny green color layer that gets back to the New Kingdom.
The Egyptian Museum of Civilization also displayed one of the oldest and first clocks in the history of ancient Egyptians, along with other items such as a water clock, sundial, and scale to determine time. You can easily find other agricultural tools that measure distance, areas, and lands and determine boundaries. It also includes Islamic and Coptic art pieces that shaped history from the pharaonic era to the present.
Among its many priceless items, the museum houses intricate jewelry that adorned the nobility, delicate pottery that graced the tables of ancient homes, and religious implements that played pivotal roles in the spiritual life of the Egyptians. Also featured are stunning statues carved to immortalize both deities and mortals alike, each piece telling its own story of artistry, worship, or commemoration. These artifacts, preserved with the utmost care, continue to inform and inspire, providing an authentic connection to the vibrant past of a civilization that has profoundly influenced the world.
- Museum Address
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is located in the heart of historic Cairo, El Fustat Street, Ein as Seirah, Cairo Governorate, Egypt.
- Visiting Hours
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization welcomes visitors throughout the week. Within the following operation hours of operation:
- Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursdays: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Late night hours for those who wish to explore the museum exhibits after sunset.)
- Ticket Prices
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization offers various ticket options to cater to different visitor needs:
- General Admission: EGP 200
- Egyptian Citizens: EGP 30 (valid ID required)
- Students: EGP 100 (valid Student ID required)
- Children under 6: Free admission
Group discounts and yearly memberships are available upon inquiry at the museum’s ticket office. Additionally, special rates for school trips and educational programs can be arranged. For further details on ticket pricing and any promotional offers, please visit the museum’s website or contact the ticketing desk.
