The General Supervisor of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) project and the surrounding area Atef Moftah denied that the statue of King Ramses II at the museum’s Great Lobby was affected by rainfall.
In a statement released on Thursday, Moftah said rainfall was expected and this was put into consideration while designing the museum, adding that rain does not pose any danger to the museum and its ancient pieces.
The rain falling on the lobby area was due to the architectural and engineering design of the open lobby of the museum, he said.
Moftah pointed out that the location of the statue of King Ramses in the foyer is specified in the original design of the museum, as it is placed under a canopy in the foyer area. This is an area in the middle of the museum.
This area is shaded and its ceiling is covered with hollow aluminum panels that create a slight refraction of sunlight.
It allows the movement of air inside the lobby, depending on ventilation and natural lighting, in order to save energy consumption and reduce high temperature in the summer, Moftah stated.
Rainfall has also been taken into account by making drainage network, especially in the foyer area, to collect water in a tank for use for future irrigation.
The museum was designed in a scientific, methodical, accurate and well-studied manner that provides visitors with a distinct and appropriate experience, whether in the winter or summer seasons, Moftah said.
The statue of King Ramses, like other huge granite statues, is designed to be displayed in open spaces, he said, stressing that the statue is intact and was not affected by rainwater as it is made of granite.
Likewise, the commercial area of the museum was not affected because it is completely covered.
The museum building, which includes various exhibition halls, is also completely covered, and no rain water has leaked into it, he concluded.
The statue of King Ramses II was located in Ramses Square from the 1950s until 2006 before it was transferred to the GEM.
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