The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) received the fourth gilded shrine of the ‘Boy Pharaoh’, King Tutankhamun from the Tahrir Museum.
The shrine, said Supervisor General of the GEM project Major General Atef Moftah, and its surroundings will be reassembled and restored at the GEM to be put on display among the king’s treasured collection.
The shrine is the smallest of King Tutankhamun’s belongings but is also one of the biggest artefacts to be transported to the GEM from Tut’s collection.
Altayeb Abbas, the MInister’s Assistant for Archaeological Affairs at the GEM, explains that the shrine is made of gilded wood and was found in parts inside the tomb upon its discovery in 1922. It was then transported to the Tahrir Museum, where it was exhibited until its transportation to the GEM for its permanent display. All security and safeguarding techniques were utilised in packing and transporting the shrine to guarantee its safe arrival.
Before its transportation, Executive Director of Restoration Affairs and Transportation of Artefacts Eissa Zidan said, that the shrine was scientifically and archaeologically examined and a detailed report on its conservation condition was prepared. Its weak areas were consolidated and then the shrine was dismantled into five pieces – just how it was found inside the tomb – it was then wrapped with special papers and foams before its installation inside the box.
The shrine will then be reassembled and restored at the GEM.
AHRAMONLINE
