Egyptian Museum

TREASURES LOOTED FROM CAIRO MUSEUM

Published on by Sarah
Egyptian Museum in Cairo

The vast wealth of archeological treasures documenting Egypt’s ancient history is housed in the Egyptian Museum, which is located on  Cairo’s Tahrir Square, the site of the recent demonstrations that has led to the forcing out of the country’s long-standing president Hosni Mubarak.. Archeologist Zahi Hawass, who was recently appointed Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities, has confirmed that objects were taken during a break-in on 28 January. Eighteen objects were stolen and that some 70 other items have been damaged.  A gilded wood statue of the boy king Tutankhamen being carried by a goddess is  among the missing as is a limestone statue of the King Tut’s father, Pharaoh Akhenaton, holding an offering table.

 During the political unrest, hundreds of people formed a human chain to protect the museum from vandals, but some looters managed to get in anyway.  The museum is now being guarded by the military, as are the pyramids and the Sphinx.

The Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Egypt

Published on by Ben Tzur - Ancient Art
The Egyptian Museum
The Egyptian Museum

One of the more remarkable Museums in the world is the Egyptian Museum. It was originally built in Boulak in 1891, but was later moved to Giza Palace of “Ismail Pasha.” In 1897 until 1900, during the reign of Khedive Abbass Helmi II, the Egyptian Museum as we know it today was constructed in Tahrir square in Cairo. On November 15, 1902 the museum opened its doors.

The Museum is comprised of 107 separate halls which are arranged in chronological order, with huge statues on the lower floor and smaller statues, mummies, jewels and the Tutankhamon collection on the floor above.

Egyptologists from all over the world consider this museum a must see. The museum hosts over one and a half million tourists each year, with an additional half a million Egyptian visitors, making this one of the most popular museums in the world.