The Great Egyptian Museum received the fourth shrine of King Tutankhamun from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, which will be part of the scenario of showing the halls of the Golden King’s treasures.
Major General Atef Moftah, general manager of the Great Egyptian Museum and its environs project, explained that the translation was carried out as part of security measures taken by the police for tourism and antiquities, under the supervision of the museum’s restorers and curators. He pointed out that although this shrine is the smallest of King Tutankhamun’s shrines, it is considered one of the largest artifacts that have been transferred from the king’s treasures to the museum.
Dr. Al-Tayeb Abbas, assistant minister of tourism and antiquities at the Great Egyptian Museum, said the temple would be undergoing restoration work inside the museum. He added that it is made of gilded wood.
Dr. Al Tayeb Abbas said the other three shrines would be successively relocated and exhibited along with other royal treasures in Tutankhamun’s 7,500-square-foot hall.
Moama Osman, head of the museum department of the Verkhovna Rada of Antiquities, said that before the transfer, the shrine was inspected and a detailed report was prepared confirming its conservation status. He added that the restoration team conducted scientific and archaeological documentation on it and took all necessary scientific measures for the restoration. They strengthened certain parts to ensure the preservation of the shrine during transportation.
Moama Osman added that the team covered the shrine with Japanese chu paper and appropriate reinforcing materials to ensure its complete safety during transportation.
Issa Zidane, director general for restoration and transfer of antiquities at the Great Egyptian Museum, said the transfer of the shrine was carried out in accordance with international scientific standards. He explained that the treasures were disassembled into five parts using the same technique as in Ancient Egypt, and then each side was packed individually.
Dr. Issa Zidane added that a team from the Great Egyptian Museum and the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir would re-assemble the shrine in its showcases in the King Boy’s treasure halls over the next few days.
Photo – Ministry of Tourism and Values of Egypt