Over 5,000 Tutankhamun Artifacts to Be On Display at the New Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) Later This Year. Take a Look Behind the Scenes of the Lab in Cairo Where a Lot of the Precious Objects Are Currently Being Restored.

33 Scientists Working Hard to Restore Tutankhamun’s Golden Coffin: Challenges and Achievements by Charlotte Edwards+

Restoration of the Coffin: Carefully Restoring Usings Small Pieces that Have Fallen Off It – Credit: Charlotte Edwards

“The Spectacular Hieroglyphs at the Bottom of His Coffin Can Be Seen Here – Credit: Charlotte Edwards”

The $1.3 Billion (£1 Billion) Building Will Be the World’s Biggest Archaeological Museum and Will Host the Largest Collection of King Tut’s Artefacts Ever Displayed. Since Construction Began Back in 2012, Scientists Have Been Working Hard to Restore Artefacts in Nearby Laboratories, Specifically Built to Store Them. In a Controversial Move, Tutankhamun Himself Is Also Intended to Be Taken to the Museum Site in May. The Boy King Currently Resides in His Tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Where He Has Rested for Over 3,300 Years.

“The Coffin Over 3,000 Years Old, Some Damage and Wear, and Is to Be Expected – Credit: Charlotte Edwards”

The Coffin is Made of Wood and Coated in Gold – Credit: Charlotte Edwards

Special Tape is Currently Being Used to Hold Some Coffin Pieces in Place – Credit: Charlotte Edwards

Some Coffin Fragments That Will Be Stuck Back On Can Be Seen Here – Credit: Charlotte Edwards”

“Many People in Luxor Are Upset About This Prospect, Not Least Because Tutankhamun’s Tomb Is a Big Tourism Draw for the Area. When Asked About the Curse, Dr. Eltayeb Abbas, Director of Archaeological Affairs at the Grand Egyptian Museum, Told Us: ‘I know there are cursed texts and the Egyptians really believe in the power of the word. So, they were thinking that by reciting a text that would let things become real. But for us, I won’t say so. I am a villager coming from the west bank [of Luxor] and my family and all the people are believing in the existence of a curse. So, I don’t have to believe but I have to respect the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians and the existence of a curse.’

Thousands of Tutankhamun Artefacts Are Currently Being Stored Away in the GEM Laboratories – Credit: Charlotte Edwards

Some Artefacts from the Tomb Have Never Been Displayed to the Public Before – Credit: Charlotte Edwards

33 King Tut was buried with a lot of different beddings. Charlotte Edwards

The completion date for the Grand Egyptian Museum has already been pushed back several times, but officials told us they’re hoping to officially launch in October 2020.

Tutankhamun will have several galleries dedicated to him and over 5,000 of the artifacts found in his tomb.

This includes some new artifacts that have recently been found by researchers.

When archaeologist Howard Carter was excavating King Tut’s tomb back in 1922, he collected a lot of dust and debris from the site.

Scientists recently sifted through this dust and found small wooden objects that they’re still identifying.

33 Some of these objects were recently found in dust gathered from Tutankhamun’s tomb. Credited: Charlotte Edwards

33 This dust and debris was collected by Howard Carter when he was excavating King Tut’s tomb almost 100 years ago. Credit: Charlotte Edwards

33 The young pharaoh was buried with over 100 walking sticks. Credit: Charlotte Edwards

You wouldn’t think that some of these items were precious artifacts. Credit: Charlotte Edwards

They also discovered that some of the broken artifacts put back together by Howard Carter and his colleagues had been restored incorrectly.

With an increased knowledge of ancient Egypt and new restoration techniques, the scientists are working to carefully piece back together things like jewelry and chariots.

It’s thought some of the objects in King Tut’s tomb were broken or damaged on purpose so that more goods could fit in.

This included the dismemberment of some of the six chariots found within the gold-laden grave.

33 Some of the artifacts, like this beaded necklace, were originally put back together by Howard Carter and his team. Credit: Charlotte Edwards

33 Now, scientists are working hard to try and restore this necklace to what they think it was intended to look like. Credit: Charlotte Edwards

33 The Grand Egyptian Museum is intended to open later this year. Credit: Charlotte Edwards

33 Experts are working hard to restore lots of different artifacts so they can go on display, including many that aren’t associated with Tutankhamun. Credit: Charlotte Edwards

Other items, such as the famed Tutankhamun death mask, will be taken from the current Egyptian Museum to the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Lots of ancient Egyptian artifacts located around the world will find a new home at GEM.

Tickets for the museum are expected to cost around 400 Egyptian Pounds, which is about £20 or $25.

The sheer scale of the building means you’ll probably be unlikely to see the whole thing in a day, though return visits are expected.

GEM will also be home to restaurants, gift shops, and a 3D cinema.

If you can’t wait until October to see Tutankhamun’s burial treasures, then a lot of them are currently on display at London’s Saatchi Gallery.

33 Sometimes grave goods were broken up on purpose so that as many items as possible could be squeezed into the tomb. Credit: Charlotte Edwards

33 The coffin is even adorned hieroglyphs on the inside. Credit: Charlotte Edwards

33 It was only recently moved from Tut’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings, sparking ‘curse of the pharaoh’ fears. Credit: Charlotte Edwards

33 All these fragments need to be repaired. Credit: Charlotte Edwards

33 The hieroglyph that depicts a human face is a preposition that means ‘to’ or ‘upon’. Credit: Charlotte Edwards

 

 

“33 This coffin was actually enclosing two more coffins. Credit: Charlotte Edwards”

“33 Tutankhamun was also buried with six complete but dismantled chariots. Credit: Charlotte Edwards”

“33 Experts are still working to put them back together. Credit: Charlotte Edwards”

“33 The restoration process is very intricate. Credit: Charlotte Edwards”

“33 The scientists still rely on Howard Carter’s documentation of the tomb. Credit: Charlotte Edwards”

“33 A lot of the chariots are plated with gold. Credit: Charlotte Edwards”

“33 They’re also covered in precious stones such as lapis lazuli. Credit: Charlotte Edwards”