About The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
Enter the breathtakingly modern National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, which opened to the public in 2017. The architecture involves two pyramid-shaped glass buildings that look out over the peaceful Ain El Sira Lake. As you enter the building, you are taken on a journey through hundreds of years of Egypt's past.
Here, you can spot an amazing collection of 50,000 artefacts from Egypt's ancient past. On your trip to Egypt, explore the chronologically arranged exhibits, which begin with prehistory and take you through Egyptian daily life from 4000 BC onward.
From stelae and jewellery to sarcophagi, mummies, and papyrus texts, ancient Egypt comes to life right in front of your eyes. Remember to visit the limestone statues of King Djoser and his family, as well as the exquisite burial boat of Senusret III. Here, you may view the hieroglyphic stelae that document ancient treaties and the valuable paintings from the Amarna period. As you learn about Egypt's fascinating past, you may marvel at the stunning copper sculptures of Greek and Roman deities.
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization Highlights
• Discover the thousands of years of history through fascinating exhibits at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
• See 20 regal mummies and an extensive array of artefacts dating from the ancient Egyptian era to the present.
• Admire King Senusret III's remarkably preserved burial boat and King Djoser and his family's limestone statues.
• Appreciate stunning Amarna-era frescoes and hieroglyphic stelae that record historical treaties.
• Discover traditional Bedouin attire and exhibits on ancient Egyptian linen at the Egyptian Textile Hall.
How To Reach The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
Located in the heart of historic Fustat, Cairo, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is easily accessible by various means of transportation:
1. By Bus: You can take bus number 500 from Tahrir Square to Bab al-Louq Square. Then transfer to bus number 355, which will take you to the museum. The journey takes approximately 30-40 minutes.
2. By Car: Drive along Salah Salem Road towards Old Cairo. Take the exit toward Al Fustat Road and then continue on Al Fustat Road until you reach the museum. The journey takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic.
3. By Cab: Booking a cab is a convenient option. Simply use local cab services like Uber or Careem, and the journey will take around 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
Best Time To Visit The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is a year-round attraction that enriches visitors. Weekdays are the best time to visit the museum to avoid large crowds. Mondays and Tuesdays are generally quieter compared to weekends.
Plan your visit to the museum in the morning between 9 AM - and 11 AM to make the most of your day. Arriving early permits you to explore the exhibits with fewer people around. It also provides ample time to witness the mummies, sandstone and granite statues on display.
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization Other Essential Information
1. Visit on weekdays to avoid crowds and thoroughly experience the displays.
2. Check the museum's website for current opening hours and any special exhibitions or events.
3. Respect the artefacts and follow museum guidelines, including no touching or flash photography.
4. Please note that the Royal Mummies area in the basement has a strict no-photography policy.
5. Consider taking a guided tour that includes the museum and other exhibits for a more immersive experience.
See the Nazlet Khater Skeleton
Discover the astounding 35,000-year-old Nazlet Khater Skeleton, the oldest human remains in Egypt, and venture into history. Discovered in 1980 near Nazlet Khater, this ancient figure was laid to rest alongside his stone tools. Dating back to the Upper Paleolithic era, it offers invaluable insights into human evolution. Its combination of modern anatomy and ancient features will grab your attention as it provides facts about the evolution of humankind.
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Witness Sennedjem's coffin and belongings
When you visit the National Museum of Civilization, you can see the beautiful collection of Sennedjem's tomb. You can admire his magnificent coffin with its family's funeral masks and gods of protection adorning it. These masks, which were used to recognise them and protect their mummified faces, tell stories of rituals from long ago. Enjoy the beautifully painted furniture, which includes a chair that Sennedjem used to sit on. These small shabti figurines that look like their owners give you a look into centuries-old concepts.
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Gaze upon Tabaketenmut's prosthetic toe
As you look around the National Museum of Civilization, get ready to be surprised by the prosthetic toe of Tabaketenmut, which is the oldest working prosthetic device in the world. This extremely lifelike toe, which dates to between 950 and 710 BC, belongs to a 55-year-old woman's mummy. It's an odd but fascinating sight, well preserved with minute details such as a carved toenail. This useful miracle helped Tabaketenmut move around easily after she lost her toe. It shows how creative and skilled people were in the past. You can be amazed by its practicality and realistic design, which demonstrates how people have evolved over time.
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Admire King Ramesses II's Duck bracelets
Take a moment to admire the beautiful King Ramesses II Duck bands as you walk through the Museum. These bands, which were made by skilled craftsmen in the New Kingdom out of gold and lapis lazuli, show how good ancient craftsmanship could be. Look at the beautiful geometric patterns on the solid gold bands that are joined by hinges and clasps. The lapis lazuli body and spread-out tail of the double-headed duck add a touch of royal beauty. With Ramesses II's cartouche engraved on them, these bracelets show how rich ancient Egyptian rulers were.
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Appreciate the ornate Mamluk lamps
The National Museum of Civilization has several stunning Mamluk lamps that you should stop and admire as you go through the museum. These delicate glass works of art, which used to be in the mosques of Egypt's famous sultans, show how beautiful Arabic writing is. With their bright enamel and lines from the Quran, they make you feel awe and respect. The Arabic writing, which skilled calligraphers wrote, flows into the lamp's curves and turns it into a work of art. As you gaze upon these elaborate lamps, you let yourself be fascinated by the illustrious history of Islamic art.
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