Egypt's Grand Museum Unveils Tutankhamun's Tomb for All

Sat Nov 01 2025 13:28:33 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Grand Egyptian Museum opens its doors, featuring the complete treasures of Tutankhamun for the first time ever. A cultural marvel poised to amplify Egypt's historical allure.

Egypt's Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the world's largest archaeological museum, has officially opened, showcasing approximately 100,000 artefacts spanning over seven millennia of history. Highlighting the new museum is the entire collection from Tutankhamun's tomb, displayed together for the first time since its discovery. With a projected 8 million annual visitors, GEM aims to revitalize Egypt's tourism industry and serve as a central hub for Egyptology, while advocating for the return of key Egyptian artefacts held abroad.

Near one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza - Egypt is officially opening what it intends as a cultural highlight of the modern age.

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), described as the world's largest archaeological museum, is packed with some 100,000 artefacts covering some seven millennia of the country's history from pre-dynastic times to the Greek and Roman eras.

Prominent Egyptologists argue that its establishment strengthens their demand for key Egyptian antiquities held in other countries to be returned – including the famed Rosetta Stone displayed at the British Museum.

A main draw of the GEM will be the entire contents of the intact tomb of the boy king Tutankhamun, displayed together for the first time since it was found by British Egyptologist Howard Carter. They include Tutankhamun's spectacular gold mask, throne and chariots.

Dr Tarek Tawfik, President of the International Association of Egyptologists, emphasizes that this experience allows visitors to explore the tomb as it was originally intended, with nothing left in storage or displayed elsewhere.

Costing around $1.2 billion (£910m), the museum is expected to lure up to 8 million visitors a year, revitalizing Egypt's tourism sector. Ahmed Seddik, a guide near Giza, hopes the GEM will lead to a new golden age in cultural tourism.

The museum’s architecture spans 500,000 square meters, adorned with hieroglyphs and an impressive entrance. It's designed to provide a modern exploration of Egypt's rich history and cultural legacy.

With the GEM's completion, Egyptologists are optimistic about advancing research and discovering new artifacts while showcasing their commitment to cultural heritage. The opening has stirred renewed calls for the return of significant antiquities, such as the Rosetta Stone and the Bust of Nefertiti, fueling debates about colonial-era acquisitions and cultural restitution.

As Egypt steps into a new era of cultural presentation, the GEM is set to become a vital landmark in international tourism, drawing people eager to witness the splendor of Tutankhamun and the broader treasures of ancient Egypt.