The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is home to the most impressive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts in the world. From old coins to mysterious mummies, the museum is a one-stop shop despite its unorganized layout. Unfortunately, we were stripped of our cameras before entering the building and forced to leave with perishable mental pictures.
Although the museum has 27 royal mummies in the Royal Mummy Room, only 9 are currently on display, including the recently discovered body of King/Queen Hatshepsut. But, what the museum is probably most famous for is its collection of King Tutankhamun artifacts. Decorative jewelry, alabaster vases, flasks, and royal weapons are just the beginning of the ostentatious valuables. His sarcophagus and well-known mummy mask, the Gold Mask, made of 24.5 pounds of solid gold, are the crowning highlights on display.
The Gold Mask, which rested over the bandages that covered King Tut's face.
King Tut's sarcophagus
A golden collar found on King Tut's body, which was used as a protective amulet rather than for decoration.
Not to be missed is the room of mummified animals. Peculiarly well-preserved dogs, cats, gazelles, monkeys, cows, and even a crocodile line the perimeter and bear testimony to the ancient Egyptians' reverence for the afterlife. Why bury a dog when you can mummify it for future eternal enjoyment?
Pharaoh's best friend
A queen's gazelle
Mummified cat to the left of its wooden cat-shaped coffin
A cuddly pet baboon
0 comments:
Post a Comment