From Pharaonic to Coptic and Islamic artefacts, from papyrus, ceramics to holograms — all this and more are on display at the recently-opened, multimedia educational museum in Zaafarana Palace in Abbasia district.
Only the basement of the two-floor palace, located on the campus of Ain Shams University, is currently open to visitors.
Built in 1870 by Khedive Ismail (1863-1879) in the style of Versailles Palace in France, where Ismail was educated, the Zaafarana Palace was the residence of King Fuad I (1868-1936) and Queen Nazli. King Farouk I (1920-1965) was born there.
From 1930-1947, the palace was a residence for high-ranking visitors including King Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, and King Albert of Belgium.
The palace was registered among Islamic, Coptic and Jewish monuments in 1985.
The museum came under the terms of a co-operation protocol between the Supreme Council of Antiquities and Ain Shams University a few weeks ago to highlight ancient Egyptian civilisation and spread awareness of tourism and archaeology among the Egyptian youth.
At the opening ceremony of the museum on May 9, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa said Ain Shams University students, researchers and scholars from other Egyptian universities could visit the museum.
“It provides a distinct experience that reflects the richness of Egypt’s great history and ancient civilisation,” the minister said.
It features 167 artefacts from various historical periods, starting from ancient Egyptian times to the modern era, in addition to a group of items uncovered by the Egyptian archaeological mission of the university working in the Arab Al-Hisn area in Matariya, which tell part of the history of the Ain Al-Shams archaeological area from its inception to the present day.
On display is a façade of the Palace Gate of Prince Neb-Maat-Ra, Son of King Ramesses IX (1125-1107 BC) and High Priest of the Sun God in the temple of Ra (Heliopolis). The lintel shows the prince in a devotional stance before the name of the deity Horus and before the cartouches of his father, King Ramses IX. The gate is made of coloured limestone, and was found in Arab Al-Hisn.
Another artefact is the Pyramidion of Horus-Iset. This limestone-pyramid-shaped stone is placed at the top of obelisks and pyramids. It holds a special sanctity for the ancient Egyptians, as it symbolises the first part that emerged from the eternal waters, on which creation began. Therefore, it is a symbol of the beginning of creation. Pyramidions of individuals were decorated with devotional scenes and placed on the fronts of the tombs. This pyramidion of the priest Horus-Iset worshipped Khepri, Osiris, and Ra-Horakhty. It was found in Saqqara and dates back to the Late Period (664 -332 BC).
A limestone sarcophagus was found in Heliopolis, dating to the Twenty-Sixth dynasty (664 BC-525 BC) is also there. Sarcophagi were a feature of burials from pre-dynastic times until the Graeco-Roman Period.
The coffin of User-Hat-Set is inside a glass showcase. This human-shaped sarcophagus has a pink face and a black-and-blue striped wig. There are flowers in a blue cross pattern on its edge, and inside are images of Soker, Isis and Nephthys. Made of wood with a layer of plaster, this sarcophagus dates back to the Late Period (664 -332 BC).
More recent artefacts of ceramic vessels bases of the 14th century Mamluk Dynasty are also on display.
These small ceramics feature floral motifs bearing fruits and flowers. One of them depicts a fish grasping a floral branch in its mouth.
Fragments of Chinese blue and white porcelain of the 18th century Qing Dynasty are on display.
The Chinese tradition in the ceramics industry is known for the quality of the clay used and the accuracy of craftsmanship. Blue and white porcelain ceramics have had their imitators in Iran, Türkiye and Egypt.
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