Ministry of Antiques is proceeding with preparations to transfer mummies from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, downtown, to Al-Hadara National Museum, located at Alfustat neighbourhood.
This museum is indeed one of the most important mega antiques project, implemented under the auspices of the ministry, Nuba Antiques Rescue Fund, the Supreme Council of Antiques as well as UNESCO.
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Min. of Antiques Dr. Khaled An-Anani with the Museum team [/caption]
Prominent Archaeologist Hussein Bassir explained that in 1978, the Egyptian government announced plans to build two new museums, in cooperation with UNESCO. These two are: Al-Nuba museum, which is located in Aswan and includes some of the Nubian antiques found between 1960 and 1980, as well as Al-Hadara National Museum.
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Dr. Bassir[/caption]
In 1998, Dr. Bassir said that Alfustat area was chosen to house Al-Hadara National Museum. The location was surveyed by professional experts and in 2004 the work started at the location. In 2007, some of the antiques, which were carefully selected, were moved to antiques storage areas in Alfustat. It will later be transferred to its final place.
The whole project was established on a total area of 28 feddans, an area which is supposed to expand to 70 feddans.
The museum consists of reception area, educational service desk, cafes and restaurants, cinema halls, theatre and commercial stores.
In addition, there are other places like service desks, storage areas maintenance and administrative offices as well as car park with a 45 car capacity.
As for the exhibition plans, the museum's permanent archaeological collections will be displayed in three areas:
1. Heart of the Museum:
This includes the main presentation of the museum, which highlights, in chronological sequence, the most important achievements of Egyptian civilization. Through this presentation, visitors can get an integrated clue about the Egyptian civilization during the prehistoric times, throughout the Pharaonic, the Greek-Roman, the Coptic, the Islamic, the modern and the contemporary era.
2.Thematic exhibition:
It includes six main topics:
- Dawn of civilization, where visitors can learn about the detailed aspects of the Egyptian civilization in its early phases and the great transformation at the life of the Egyptians who enjoyed stability as they learn about agriculture and then regions and cities were formed until the the Egyptian state.
- Nile, where an analytical presentation is being provided and details the origin of the Nile river formation in Egypt and how it contributed to the ancient and modern civilization, as it provides people senses of stability and continuity and turned the Egyptians to food producers. Egyptians used the Nile in agriculture, fishing and transportation.
It details, as well, its past 7 branches, which decreased to only two now, thanks to the construction of reservoirs and dams.
- Writing, which presents the latest archaeological discoveries and refutes the claims that cuneiform writing is the oldest, as archaeological discoveries in Abydos, Upper Egypt, proved that Egyptians did write Egyptian script before the cuneiform by more than three hundred years.
It deals, as well, with the excellence of Egyptians and their superiority in science, which emphasizes, on other hand, the leadership of Egyptians in that field.
The presentation highlights also the areas of credit and excellence of Egyptians such as medicine, astronomy, mathematics and embalming science.
- Concrete culture, and here it details features of Egyptian civilization, such as architecture and its development from prehistoric times to modern times, in several kinds such as civil, military, religious and funerary architecture. It also deals with the story of the Egyptian arts of carving, photography, ornaments, ornaments, musical instruments and expressionism, since ancient times until now.
- State and society, and here it tackles the Egyptian system of government and its relation with society, where evidence proved that the oldest central government in the world originated in Egypt. The relationship between government and society was based on justice and equality. The Egyptian society has contributed to the renaissance of its civilization through an integrated system of values that have prevailed since ancient times and have greatly influenced the creation of the Egyptian personality.
Worthy noting is that the role of women in the society and civilization of Egypt has been great. Egyptian civilization was the first to realize the significant role of women in achieving cultural progress. Women participated side by side with men in building this great civilization.
The presentation also explains the most important social customs such as holidays, events, education, judiciary, taxes, army, police and organizations throughout the ages.
- Beliefs and thoughts: It presents the most important Egyptian beliefs which affirm that the Egyptians are among the most pious peoples and tolerant with other faiths.
It asserts that the Egyptians were never worshipers of statues or inpiduals, but rather, they had strong faith in the power of God and his ability, which they perceived in many forms.
This section also deals with Egyptian customs and folklore since ancient times until now in a way that put the Egyptians in touch with their selves and in full contact with their ancestors who have made this glorified civilization.
3. Royal mummies:
This area is the main attraction point in the museum, where visitors can see the kings and queens of Egypt.
The idea of presenting them is about reflecting their great status, away from the fact that they are only mummies. The gallery halls are equipped and designed to prepare the visitors and set them into mood of attending before kings and queens.
The Egyptian mummies are set to be transported from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square to the Al-Hadara National Museum in Fustat in a majestic international celebration that fits with the great Egyptian, timeless, civilization.
This important occasion will see invitations extended to a large number of international figures who will attend the transfer of the mummies of Egypt's immortal pharaohs to settle in their eternal rest at Al-Hadara National Museum; they will be there in a place where beauty dominates, silence prevails and eternity reigns.
Contributed by: Yassmine ElSayed
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