The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo is the largest archaeological museum in the world, housing over 100,000 artifacts that span 7,000 years of Egyptian history. Enormous in scale—twice the size of the Louvre and two and a half times larger than the British Museum—the GEM offers an unprecedented look at ancient Egypt through a range of iconic exhibits. One of its most remarkable features is the complete display of all 5,000 objects from King Tutankhamun’s tomb, including personal items like clothing, sandals, and even preserved food. The museum also houses the Solar Boat of Khufu, a reconstructed ancient vessel that highlights the symbolic role of boats in Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife. A colossal statue of Ramses II greets visitors, dramatically illuminated by a skylight designed to mimic the sunlight that would have touched his face on his coronation day and birthday. Other highlights include Tutankhamun’s iconic golden funerary mask, a symbol of Egypt’s elaborate burial traditions; a replica of the Rosetta Stone, essential in the deciphering of hieroglyphics; and the finely carved Sphinx of Amenhotep II. The museum’s galleries are organized into four historical periods—Predynastic and Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom, and Greco-Roman—and thematically arranged around topics like society, kingship, and religious beliefs. Cutting-edge display technology, including multimedia features that animate ancient texts, enhances the visitor experience. The GEM also includes a children’s museum, cafés, and gift shops, making it a comprehensive cultural destination for all ages.
