GEM Receives 140 New Artifacts

The Grand Egyptian Museum received 140 artifacts from the Egyptian Museum located in El Tahrir square.

Dr. Al-Tayeb Abbas, director general of the Grand Egyptian Museum “GEM” for Archaeological Affairs, said these pieces are belonging to different eras, from the pre-dynastic period to the Greco-Roman era. The most beautiful of these artifacts are a statue of King Khafra made of Alabaster and a statue of priest Kai made of colored limestone depicting the priest sitting on a bench.

“This statue represents one of masterpieces and greats work of art in the Old Kingdom,” Abbass added noting that it was discovered inside the tomb of priest Kai in the Giza Pyramids archaeological area.

He pointed out that these two statues will be displayed in the Old Kingdom Exhibition Hall of the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Issa Zidan, director general of initial restoration at the GEM, pointed out that there are four heavy artifacts will be displayed on the great stairs; bringing the number of pieces that have been transferred for display to 42 ones.

“The teamwork was keen to stick to safety-related rates in the processes of receiving, packaging and restoration of all small and medium-sized artifacts including a wooden box of Queen Hatshepsut with linen rolls and one of her teeth.” Zidan added.

The artifacts were put in the restoration center laboratories to carry out the necessary restoration and maintenance works.

The transfer took place amid tightened security measures and under the supervision of Major General Atef Moftah, general supervisor of the Grand Egyptian Museum project while the transfer of the heavy artifacts was carried out in cooperation with the Arab Contractors Company.

Contributed by Basant Ahmed