Discover the Artifacts Selected for June in Egypt’s Archaeological Museums

As part of the monthly tradition across the museums nationwide, the artifacts selected for June have been announced.

This selection was made through a public poll via the museums’ social media pages to raise cultural awareness and promote the significance of Egypt's heritage.

This month, the audience chose artifacts that highlight several events celebrated during June. One of the key occasions is the anniversary of the Holy Family’s entry into Egypt.

Additionally, many museums are showcasing archival photographs from their collections in line with the celebration of International Archives Day, emphasizing the role of museums in preserving the nation’s memory and cultural heritage.

Some museums are also presenting unique pieces that showcase the significance of musical instruments throughout Egyptian history, in conjunction with World Music Day, which is celebrated on June 21st each year.

The full list of June's selected artifacts is as follows:

Coptic Museum (Old Cairo):

A bronze censer featuring inscriptions depicting events from the life of Jesus Christ, including His arrival in Egypt.

Cairo International Airport Museum:

A copper and zinc cross.

Kafr El-Sheikh Museum:

A piece of wool and linen representing the journey of the Holy Family to Egypt.

Luxor Museum of Ancient Egyptian Art:

The upper part of an altar made of limestone from the Coptic era, discovered in 1958 in the first courtyard of the Luxor Temple.

Islamic Art Museum:

An archival photo from the museum showcasing the celebrations of the “Mahmal” (the sacred ritual of the pilgrimage).

National Police Museum:

An archival photograph depicting Egyptian media coverage of the Egyptian police’s role in defending the country.

Ismailia Museum:

The handwritten records of French archaeologist Jean Cleida documenting the artifacts of the Ismailia Museum.

Royal Jewelry Museum:

Archival photographs from the personal album of noblewoman Fatima Haidar (owner of the palace), showing her daughter standing in the palace garden.

Nubian Museum:

An archival photograph of the Philae Temple before and after its preservation.

Cairo International Airport Museum:

A bronze rattle of the goddess Hathor, representing her face with a headdress and necklace, with a cobra on either side of her head carrying the Egyptian crown.

Manial Palace Museum:

A wooden piano with brass inlays, featuring lapis lazuli and marble, from the opulent “Obisone” hall in the palace.

Royal Carriages Museum:

A music box made of wood, belonging to Princess Fawzia. It contains six cylinders, each with a unique tune, and is accompanied by a wooden table with a drawer to store the cylinders.

Gayer-Anderson Museum:

A drum with a skin membrane, made of wood inlaid with ebony and ivory.

Farouk’s Pavilion Museum:

A gramophone with a wooden face designed as a temple facade, with columns and a royal cartouche bearing King Farouk’s name in hieroglyphics. The gramophone cover is engraved with images of musicians and dancers, with a side drawer for storing records.

Imhotep Museum:

Part of a harp instrument, with a column containing a vertical row of holes where small wooden cylindrical pieces are placed to anchor the harp strings.

Tell Basta Museum:

A bronze statue of the goddess Bastet holding sistrum, a musical instrument often associated with Hathor.

Suez National Museum:

A flute with five finger holes.

Alexandria National Museum:

A collection of terracotta statues from Alexandria cemeteries, including a statue of a woman playing a harp.

Hurghada Museum:

A wooden “Rebab” (a traditional stringed musical instrument) shaped like a tree trunk.

Sharm El-Sheikh Museum:

A bronze rattle of Hathor, with its handle designed as a miniature Sphinx and a depiction of Hathor and the goddess Bes from the Greco-Roman period.

Sohag National Museum:

A pair of ivory clappers in the shape of human hands, decorated with intricate designs, used for clapping, from the Middle Kingdom.

Matruh Museum:

A limestone relief depicting the god Bes, the god of music and dance, holding a sword and dancing, alongside a woman with a rattle and tambourine.

Malawi Museum:

A terracotta statue showing the upper half of a person beside a musical god, with fingers positioned to play the instrument, from the Greco-Roman period.

These selected pieces illustrate a diverse and rich cultural heritage, showcasing Egypt's deep-rooted history in both religious and artistic expressions.