SafekipediaNational Museum of Egyptian Civilization
Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) is a large museum in Old Cairo, a part of Cairo, Egypt. It opened partly in 2017 and officially on April 3, 2021. During a special event called the Pharaohs' Golden Parade, 22 important mummies were moved from the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo. These mummies included 18 kings and four queens.
The museum has a big collection of 50,000 artifacts. These items show the story of Egyptian civilization from very old times, called prehistoric times, up to today, called the Modern era. Visitors can see many wonderful things that help them learn about the history and culture of ancient Egypt.
Background
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization has two main parts. One part shows items in order of time. This starts from very early days and goes through the time of the pharaohs, the Greco-Roman era, Coptic and Medieval times, and up to today. The other part groups items by themes. These themes include the beginning of civilization, the Nile River, writing, society, everyday life, beliefs, and a special gallery for royal mummies. UNESCO helped the museum with technical support.
The museum’s collections come from many other museums in Egypt, such as the Egyptian Museum, the Coptic Museum, the Museum of Islamic Art, the Manial Palace and Museum in Cairo, and the Royal Jewelry Museum in Alexandria.
Museum halls
The main gallery shows visitors the story of Egyptian civilization from very old times up to today. It includes important items like the Nazlet Khater Skeleton, the Tent of Purification, the coffin of Sennedjem, and special statues.
The Royal Mummies’ Hall displays mummies of ancient Egyptian kings and queens. It feels like walking through the Valley of the Kings, where these mummies were originally kept. The hall shows royal mummies from the 17th to the 20th dynasties.
The Textile Hall has around 600 pieces of ancient Egyptian cloth. The Dye House is an old place used for coloring fabrics, from the Fatimid period, and it is the only one left from Cairo’s ancient dye houses.
| Name | Dynasty | Role/Notable Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Seqenenre Tao | 17th Dynasty | Known for resisting the Hyksos. |
| Ahmose-Nefertari | 18th Dynasty | Founder of the 18th Dynasty, wife of Ahmose I. |
| Amenhotep I | 18th Dynasty | Son of Ahmose I and Ahmose-Nefertari, second ruler. |
| Meritamun | 18th Dynasty | Possible sister-wife of Amenhotep I. |
| Thutmose I | 18th Dynasty | Expanded Egypt’s borders significantly. |
| Thutmose II | 18th Dynasty | Son of Thutmose I, husband of Hatshepsut. |
| Hatshepsut | 18th Dynasty | Famous female pharaoh who assumed the throne. |
| Thutmose III | 18th Dynasty | Renowned as Egypt’s greatest conqueror. |
| Amenhotep II | 18th Dynasty | Son of Thutmose III, known for military campaigns. |
| Thutmose IV | 18th Dynasty | Known for the Dream Stele at the Great Sphinx. |
| Amenhotep III | 18th Dynasty | Brought Egypt to its peak of artistic and cultural power. |
| Queen Tiye | 18th Dynasty | Great royal wife of Amenhotep III, influential in court. |
| Name | Dynasty | Role/Notable Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Seti I | 19th Dynasty | Known for restoring Egypt’s glory after unrest. |
| Ramesses II | 19th Dynasty | Known as “Ramesses the Great,” ruled for over 60 years. |
| Merenptah | 19th Dynasty | Son of Ramesses II, fought the Sea Peoples. |
| Seti II | 19th Dynasty | Faced internal conflicts during his reign. |
| Siptah | 19th Dynasty | Young pharaoh, possibly ruled under regency. |
| Ramesses III | 20th Dynasty | Defended Egypt from invasions by the Sea Peoples. |
| Ramesses IV | 20th Dynasty | Continued temple constructions but faced economic issues. |
| Ramesses V | 20th Dynasty | Short reign, known from the Wilbour Papyrus. |
| Ramesses VI | 20th Dynasty | Faced challenges in maintaining Egypt’s stability. |
| Ramesses IX | 20th Dynasty | Last significant ruler of the 20th Dynasty. |
Ain el-Sera Lake
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is close to Ain el-Sera Lake. In 2022, this area was improved. Old neighborhoods were turned into a nice place for visitors. Now there are restaurants, an open-air theater, green spaces, wooden shelters, fountains, and a water cleaning system for the lake.
Accessibility and tickets
The museum is easy for everyone to visit. You can get free wheelchairs, special parking, and elevators. If you need it, you can ask for brochures in Braille. You should tell them ahead of time if you want tours with sign language.
Tickets cost different amounts for different people. For adults who are not from Egypt, tickets are 550 EGP (about 11 US dollars). Students pay 300 EGP (about 6 US dollars).
Notable donations
In late 2017, the president of the American University in Cairo gave 5,000 artifacts to the museum. This helped the museum grow its collection.
Usage
The museum hosted the final matches of the 2021 World Men's Handball Championship. It also has a special area to protect and store old items safely.
Images
Related articles
This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.