Grand Egyptian Museum Unveils Tutankhamun's Full Tomb Experience

Sat Nov 01 2025 09:33:09 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest archaeological museum in the world, officially opens its doors, showcasing the complete contents of Tutankhamun's tomb and 100,000 other artifacts from Egypt's storied past.

The Grand Egyptian Museum has officially opened near the Great Pyramid of Giza, featuring a comprehensive presentation of artifacts, including the full contents of Tutankhamun's tomb, which are displayed together for the first time. This monumental project aims to revitalize Egypt’s tourism and culture, with expected annual visitors numbering up to 8 million.

Near one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza - Egypt is officially opening what it intends as a cultural highlight of the modern age.

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), described as the world's largest archaeological museum, is packed with some 100,000 artefacts covering some seven millennia of the country's history from pre-dynastic times to the Greek and Roman eras.

Prominent Egyptologists argue that its establishment strengthens their demand for key Egyptian antiquities held in other countries to be returned – including the famed Rosetta Stone displayed at the British Museum.

A main draw of the GEM will be the entire contents of the intact tomb of the boy king Tutankhamun, displayed together for the first time since it was found by British Egyptologist Howard Carter. They include Tutankhamun's spectacular gold mask, throne and chariots.

Costing some $1.2 billion (£910 million; €1.1 billion), the vast museum complex is expected to attract up to 8 million visitors a year, giving a huge boost to Egyptian tourism which has been hit by regional crises.

Ahmed Seddik, an aspiring Egyptologist by the pyramids, expressed hope that the Grand Egyptian Museum will usher in a new golden age of Egyptology and cultural tourism.

Besides the Tutankhamun exhibit, most of the museum's galleries have been opened to the public since last year, showcasing the craftsmanship of ancient and modern Egyptians.

The museum itself is colossal, spanning 500,000 square meters (5.4 million square feet), and features a pyramid-shaped entrance covered in hieroglyphs and translucent alabaster.

The project encountered various delays including the Arab Spring and the Covid-19 pandemic, but now that it's open, it signals a new era for Egypt’s rich history and tourism.

Dr. Zahi Hawass, the former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, urged for the return of important Egyptian artifacts from foreign museums, stating that this new museum affirms Egypt's capability in preserving its heritage.

With the opening of the GEM, excitement is palpable among locals and tourists alike, marking a significant milestone in the cultural landscape of Egypt.