The museum includes about 100,000 exhibits covering seven millennia of Egyptian history—from the era of dynasties to the Greek and Roman periods.
Special attention in the exhibition is given to items from the untouched tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, which are presented together for the first time since the tomb's discovery in 1922. Previously, only 1,800 of the 5,500 finds were shown to the public. Among the exhibits are the famous golden mask of Tutankhamun, as well as his throne and chariots.
Another outstanding object is the burial boat of Khufu, which is about 4,500 years old, making it one of the oldest and best-preserved vessels of antiquity. The museum also houses the obelisk of Pharaoh Ramses II, which is 3,200 years old, and his 11-meter statue.
The idea of creating the Grand Egyptian Museum was voiced in 1992 during the presidency of Hosni Mubarak. Construction began in 2005, and according to some estimates, its completion took almost as long as the construction of the Great Pyramid of Khufu. The museum covers an area of 500,000 square meters, equivalent to 70 football fields. Most of the galleries in the complex will open in 2024, and the museum will fully operate for visitors on November 4. It is expected to attract up to eight million visitors annually.
