National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

Spanning centuries of Egypt's illustrious past, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo stands as one of the foremost museums dedicated to the preservation and display of ancient Egyptian artifacts and history. Opened in 2017, this modern museum occupies a prime position overlooking the Ain El Sira Lake with its distinctive architecture featuring two pyramid-shaped glass structures. It was built to commemorate Egypt's long and vibrant civilization and houses an unparalleled collection shedding light on the everyday lives of ancient Egyptians throughout the ages.

With a vast exhibition space covering nearly 27,000 square meters, this state-of-the-art museum can display 50,000 artifacts from its expansive collection of 250,000 objects. Exhibits are arranged chronologically starting from prehistory and the earliest communities along the Nile River dating back to 4000 BC. Displays then cover ancient Egypt's formative period and the age of pyramid building from 3100 BC to 2100 BC.

This leads to galleries focusing on the peak of Pharaonic rule referred to as the age of empire between 2100 BC and 1070 BC which saw advanced architecture, artistry, and expansion of territory. Exhibits continue through the third intermediate period from 1070 BC to 664 BC characterized by a fragmented state and domination by foreign powers. The last historical era covers Egypt's integration into the Greek and Roman civilizations after Alexander's conquest in 332 BC.

Artifacts on display encompass statues, reliefs, stelae, tools, jewelry, sarcophagi, mummies, pottery, and papyrus texts. One stunning exhibit is the exceptionally preserved funerary boat of King Senusret III built around 1870 BC. Other highlights include limestone statues of King Djoser and family from the 3rd Dynasty, beautiful frescoes from the Amarna period under Akhenaten's reign, hieroglyphic stelae documenting ancient treaties, and Greek-Roman era bronze sculptures of gods and goddesses.

Innovative displays with interactive screens allow visitors to explore how Egyptian engineering, agriculture, religion, education, and culture evolved over thousands of years. For example, an immersive display on agriculture explains irrigation techniques, the growing cycles of ancient Egyptian crops, and the uses of livestock. Others detail the evolution of art and architectural styles from the Old Kingdom to Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt.

The building's design incorporates green building standards for energy efficiency. Solar panels mounted on canopies covering the outdoor parking areas supply 12% of the museum's power needs. The sloped glass walls allow filtered natural sunlight to enter gallery spaces while reducing glare and heat.

This modern museum provides a comprehensive overview of Egyptian civilization well beyond the Pharaonic era. Exhibits give insights into the everyday lives of Egyptians throughout history - their knowledge systems, cultural expressions, religious practices, values, and occupational activities. The sheer breadth of collections and didactic displays make this an essential destination for understanding the continuity and changing course of Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times through the arrival of Islam in AD 640.

The Pharaohs’ Golden Parade was a spectacular event held in Cairo, Egypt on April 3, 2021, that saw 22 mummies transported across the city in an extravagant procession. The mummified remains of 18 pharaohs and 4 other royals were showcased in custom-made climate-controlled cases mounted on vehicles designed to resemble ancient Egyptian boats. The pharaoh mummies included those of Amenhotep I, Ramses II, Ramses III, Ramses IV, Ramses V, Ramses VI, and Hatshepsut, arguably Egypt’s most famous female pharaoh. Many wore gold masks and were accompanied by gilded coffins inlaid with semiprecious stones. The parade began at 6 pm, with the mummies crossing over illuminated bridges and roads closed for the occasion, accompanied by security convoys. Egyptians lined the route to get a glimpse of their country’s historic rulers as they made their way to the new National Museum of Egyptian Civilization for permanent display. The elaborate spectacle aimed to capture the glory of ancient Egypt and reinvigorate interest in its rich history and culture.

With its panoramic architecture and location, the museum integrates harmoniously with its historic surroundings on the road linking some of Cairo's grandest monuments. It provides a contemporary space to appreciate Egypt's deep roots and extraordinary contributions to human knowledge and progress. This world-class institution expands access to Egypt's archaeological treasures and affirms its proud heritage as guardian of an ancient civilization that thrived for millennia leaving enduring monuments, technologies, ideas, and cultural legacies.