After decades of planning and construction, Egypt has officially inaugurated the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in a spectacular ceremony attended by world leaders, royals, and dignitaries. Located near the iconic Pyramids of Giza, the $1.2 billion museum complex spans 500,000 square meters, roughly the size of 70 football pitches. According to the BBC, it houses over 100,000 artifacts spanning seven millennia of Egyptian history.
The museum’s grand opening marks a historic moment for global archaeology. ABC News notes that it showcases the entire collection of artifacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb for the first time since British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the burial site in 1922. With its alabaster façade featuring hieroglyphic carvings and a pyramid-shaped entrance, the GEM has been designed as a “fourth pyramid.” It complements the ancient wonders nearby, creating a breathtaking cultural complex that Egyptian officials hope will usher in a new golden age of Egyptology and tourism.
Complete Tutankhamun Collection On Display
The undeniable centerpiece of the Grand Egyptian Museum is the Tutankhamun Gallery. The gallery displays all 5,900 artifacts from the boy king’s tomb together for the first time in over a century. The significance of this complete exhibition cannot be overstated. It offers visitors the opportunity to experience the collection in its entirety, similar to Howard Carter’s discovery more than 100 years ago.
The collection includes Tutankhamun’s spectacular gold mask, throne, and chariots, previously housed at the century-old Egyptian Museum in Downtown Cairo’s Tahrir Square. While Tutankhamun’s treasures may be the main attraction, the museum houses numerous other significant artifacts. Among the GEM showstoppers are a 3,200-year-old, 16-meter-long suspended obelisk of Pharaoh Ramesses II and his massive 11-meter-high statue, which was moved from near Cairo railway station in 2006.
The museum also displays the 4,500-year-old funerary boats of King Khufu, described as some of the oldest and best-preserved vessels from antiquity. A giant staircase lined with statues of ancient kings and queens leads to an upper floor with a window that frames the Giza pyramids. It connects Egypt’s ancient past with its ambitious present. The museum’s 12 main galleries contain artifacts spanning from prehistoric times to the Graeco-Roman period. These offer visitors a comprehensive journey through Egypt’s ancient history.
The Grand Egyptian Museum To Boost Tourism
The Egyptian government anticipates that the Grand Egyptian Museum will attract up to 5 million visitors annually, boosting the country’s tourism sector. AFP reports that Egypt welcomed a record 15.7 million tourists in 2024 and aims to increase that number to 30 million by 2030, with the GEM serving as a cornerstone of this strategy. The Japan International Cooperation Agency provided the largest share of funding for the project, with two loans totaling $800 million.
