The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) is located in the heart of historic Cairo, in the Al-Fustat district—the site where the first Arab capital of Egypt was founded in 641 AD. This is symbolic: a museum narrating the history of civilization in the Nile Valley stands on land preserving layers from different eras. It is situated near ancient Coptic churches and the famous Babylon Fortress, in close proximity to Ain Al-Sira Lake.
The idea of creating a museum dedicated specifically to civilization, not just treasures, emerged in the 1980s with UNESCO support. However, construction began only in 2002, and the grand opening took place in 2017.
The museum gained global recognition and immense historical significance on April 3, 2021, when Cairo witnessed the grand "Pharaohs` Golden Parade"—the transportation of 22 royal mummies from the old Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square to their new, specially equipped resting place at NMEC. This event established the Museum of Egyptian Civilization as one of the foremost repositories of Ancient Egypt`s greatest relics.
The Royal Mummies Hall: The Eternal Journey of the Pharaohs
Previous Location: Until April 2021, the royal mummies, a pride of global Egyptology, were housed in the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, in halls whose conditions no longer met modern preservation standards for such unique objects. They were displayed in modest showcases within a building lacking the technological solutions for precise control of temperature, humidity, and lighting. Their move to NMEC was not merely a change of location but a transition to a qualitatively new level of museum curation.
What You Can See Now: The Royal Mummies Hall at NMEC is not just an exhibition; it is a sacred space reminiscent of a tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Access is via a descent down a dimly lit ramp, setting a solemn tone. The hall itself is immersed in semi-darkness, with light focused solely on the mummies. They rest in individual climate-controlled capsules made of tempered glass, providing ideal preservation conditions (temperature around 21°C, humidity 60%).
There is no crowding. Each mummy is presented with the ruler`s name, years of reign, and a brief historical note. Among them are great warriors and politicians: Pharaoh Seqenenre Taa II with combat wounds on his skull, the mighty Ramses II, Thutmose III, known as the "Egyptian Napoleon," and Queen Hatshepsut. Their consorts rest alongside them.
A crucial aspect is the modern scientific presentation. Informational displays and interactive multimedia panels allow visitors to learn the discovery history of each mummy, the results of modern CT scans, view 3D reconstructions of their likely appearance in life, and explore information about diseases, causes of death, and mummification techniques.
Collection of Other Exhibits: The Unbroken Thread of Civilization
Beyond the climactic Mummies Hall, NMEC offers a grand permanent exhibition, organized chronologically and thematically. Its uniqueness lies in its endeavor to showcase the continuity and mutual influence of cultures on Egyptian soil over millennia.
Ancient Egypt (until 332 BC): The exhibition begins not with gold, but with the foundations of civilization: agriculture, writing (papyri and ostraca), crafts (weaving, stone and metalworking), and social structure. Here you can see tools, ceramics, statues of gods and officials, and sarcophagi. The emphasis is on how the Egyptians lived, not just what they believed.
The Hellenistic and Roman Periods (332 BC – 395 AD): Here, the synthesis of cultures is evident. Alongside traditional Egyptian statues appear sculptures in Greco-Roman style but with Egyptian symbolism. The collection features elegant terracotta figurines, Greek papyri, and coins bearing portraits of the Ptolemies and Roman emperors depicted as pharaohs. The famous "Fayum portraits" are the brightest symbol of this era, where Roman painting technique served Egyptian funerary purposes.
The Coptic Period (4th – 7th centuries AD): This collection illustrates the establishment of Christianity in Egypt. It includes exquisite textiles with patterns combining ancient symbols (the ankh) and Christian crosses, intricately carved wooden altars and column capitals, manuscripts in the Coptic language, and jewelry. It demonstrates how Pharaonic motifs smoothly transformed into Christian art.
The Islamic Period, up to the Mamluks (7th – early 16th centuries AD): This section is astounding in its richness. It covers the Umayyad, Abbasid, Fatimid, Ayyubid, and especially the Mamluk eras. On display are:
• Architectural elements: Carved mihrabs, marble inlays, wooden mashrabiyya screens.
• Ceramics and glass: From early Islamic pottery to the emerald and blue glazes of the Mamluk period.
• Science and art: Astrolabes, medical instruments, lavishly decorated Quran manuscripts.
• Textiles and numismatics: Fabric samples and coins from all ruling dynasties.
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization tells a story in which the great pharaohs are just one, albeit brilliant, chapter. Walking through its halls, the visitor understands that Egypt`s civilization is not a frozen legacy of tombs, but a living, evolving organism that, while changing its language, religion, and art, preserved its unique essence for over seven millennia.
