The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has taken its first major step toward opening, with 12 of its galleries now accessible to the public. After over a decade of construction, GEM welcomed its first visitors in late October, attracting approximately 4,000 guests daily. These galleries house a selection of 15,000 artifacts, displayed in chronological and thematic order. As the museum fine-tunes its operations, it is gradually gearing up for its grand opening.
Announced in 2002, the GEM has been a cornerstone of Egypt’s Vision 2030 plan, a transformative initiative led by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, aimed at revitalizing Egypt’s tourism sector and heritage.
The museum’s entrance sets the tone for this balance between old and new, with a striking 3,000-year-old statue of Ramses the Great. Once exposed to the pollution and vibrations of Cairo’s Ramses Square, this restored granite statue now finds a more secure home at GEM. The museum’s sleek atrium contrasts with this ancient relic, offering retail and dining spaces alongside the cultural experience. Notable Egyptian brands like El Kahhal Looms and Azza Fahmy are featured, reflecting the museum’s support for local artisans while celebrating the nation’s historical craftsmanship. Additionally, the atrium has hosted high-profile events, including the RiseUp Summit and a performance by the UK’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
At its core, the GEM embodies the pillars of preservation, legacy, and documentation—values central to ancient Egyptian civilization. The museum features state-of-the-art conservation labs designed to protect over 100,000 artifacts using advanced technologies such as temperature control and UV protection.
The GEM’s approach is grounded in a desire to reclaim the narrative of ancient Egypt from Western scholars, who historically shaped Egyptology through a foreign lens. In 2010, GEM launched the largest conservation effort in the region, underscoring Egypt’s role in preserving and presenting its own cultural heritage. This shift is particularly evident in the new galleries, which span from prehistoric Egypt (700,000 BCE) to the reign of Ramses II. Notable artifacts such as statues of royal figures and monumental sculptures illustrate Egypt’s social structures and the enduring legacy of its rulers.
Art and writing were key to this legacy. The museum showcases early Egyptian artifacts like stone tools and hieroglyphic inscriptions, revealing the culture’s complex belief systems and daily life. Many of the museum’s exhibits are arranged through visual storage, maximizing display space while allowing a more comprehensive narrative. This curation method emphasizes the interconnectedness of the objects rather than isolating them as individual pieces of art.
One of the GEM’s most important roles is recontextualizing ancient Egyptian history. By focusing on storytelling and the lives of ancient Egyptians across different social strata, the museum offers a more humanized view of the civilization, as opposed to the more aesthetic-driven narratives seen in Western institutions.
Though the highly anticipated Tutankhamun Galleries remain closed, GEM’s continued development represents a milestone in the presentation and understanding of Egypt’s rich heritage. As a research center and global cultural hub, the museum is redefining Egyptology by allowing Egypt to share its narrative on its terms. Spanning 500,000 square meters—twice the size of the Louvre—the GEM is a repository for Egypt’s history.
