CAIRO (AP) — The Grand Egyptian Museum will open 12 halls with shows about historic Egypt in its major galleries beginning this week in an ordeal run forward of the still-unannounced reputable opening, officers stated TuesdayThe museum, a mega-project close to the famed Giza Pyramids which has price neatly over $1 billion thus far, will open the halls for 4,000 guests in line with day beginning Wednesday, stated Al-Tayeb Abbas, assistant to the minister of antiquities.The museum has been underneath development for greater than a decade, and an general opening date has now not but been set, having been time and again behind schedule for more than a few causes, together with the COVID-19 pandemic. Some sections were open since 2022 for restricted excursions.
Guests stroll previous historic Egyptian statues alongside the Grand Staircase on the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, Tuesday, Oct.15, 2024. (AP Photograph/Khaled Elfiqi)
Greater than 100,000 artifacts of Egypt’s historic treasures will likely be displayed on the earth’s biggest archaeological museum, in line with the Egyptian state data web page.
Abbas informed the AP that the trial run beginning Wednesday would lend a hand get ready for the overall opening by way of figuring out operational problems, together with which portions of the museum may transform overcrowded.
Guests stroll previous historic Egyptian colossal statues alongside the Grand Staircase on the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, Tuesday, Oct.15, 2024. (AP Photograph/Khaled Elfiqi)
The presentations around the 12 halls faucet into problems associated with society, faith, and doctrine in historic Egypt, he added. The open-style halls were categorized by way of dynasty and historic order, and can show off 1000’s of artifacts.
Eras that will likely be exhibited in the primary galleries come with the 3rd Intermediate Duration (about 1070-664 B.C.), Past due Duration (664-332 B.C.), Graeco-Roman Duration (332 B.C.-395 A.D.), New Kingdom (1550-1070 B.C.), Heart Kingdom (2030-1650 B.C.), and Previous Kingdom (2649-2130 B.C.). One of the crucial halls presentations statues of “Elite of the King,” participants of the royal circle of relatives and high-ranking officers who labored within the military, priesthood, and the federal government.
Guests stroll previous historic Egyptian colossal statues alongside the Grand Staircase on the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, Tuesday, Oct.15, 2024. (AP Photograph/Khaled Elfiqi)
Restricted excursions were allowed in portions of the web page since past due 2022 to check guests’ revel in and the museum’s operational preparedness.
Aude Porcedde, a Canadian vacationer who visited a number of sections, informed the AP she was once amazed by way of the museum, including that Egyptian civilization is essential for her and for the sector to understand extra about. “There may be numerous historical past and numerous issues we aren’t acutely aware of, particularly coming from the opposite facet of the sector, and seeing the whole thing right here and finding out from the locals has been nice,” stated Costa Rican vacationer Jorge Licano.
King Ramses II statue is displayed on the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, Tuesday, Oct.15, 2024. (AP Photograph/Khaled Elfiqi)
The grand staircase, six tales excessive and with a view of the pyramids, and the industrial house are open to the general public, showcasing monuments and artifacts that come with sarcophagi and statues. Different portions of the museum, together with the King Tutankhamun treasure assortment, are set to open at later dates. All halls are supplied with complex era and have multimedia displays to provide an explanation for the lives of the traditional Egyptians, together with its kings, in line with Eissa Zidan, director-general of initial recovery and antiquities switch on the museum. One of the crucial halls will use digital truth to provide an explanation for the historical past of burial and its building all through historic Egypt.
“The museum isn’t just a spot to show antiquities, however it additionally objectives to draw kids to be informed about historic Egyptian historical past … The museum is a present to all of the international,” Zidan informed the AP.——————————————————————————————-Related Press journalist Fatma Khaled contributed to this file from Cairo.
