Eleven facts about Tutankhamun’s complete collection at the Grand Egyptian Museum

The highlight of the Grand Egyptian Museum’s (GEM) opening ceremony on Saturday was the display of King Tutankhamun’s complete collection for the first time since its discovery over a century ago, within meticulously prepared halls showcasing thee brilliant gold and royal adornments.

According to Director General of Restoration and Antiquities Transfer at GEM Eissa Zeidan, all of King Tutankhamun’s artifacts were gathered from several different locations, including the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, the Military Museum, and Luxor.

Here are 11 important facts about the Tutankhamun royal collection, based on information from NBC News:

1. The GEM dedicates two main galleries to Tutankhamun, considered among the museum’s most important exhibits.
2. The museum displays more than 5,300 artifacts from the tomb.
3. Its exhibits include the famous golden mask.
4. It also features royal jewelry and ornaments.
5. And shield made of textiles and leather, a unique piece in Egyptian civilization, is part of the collection.
6. This is the first time since the tomb’s discovery in 1922 that all of Tutankhamun’s artifacts have been displayed in one place.
7. The pieces have undergone meticulous restoration at the museum’s restoration center by a team of 150 specialists since 2017.
8. Restoring the king’s shield was a particular challenge because there is no reliable replica, necessitating scientific analysis to reconstruct its original structure.
9. Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered in November 1922 in the Valley of the Kings by British archaeologist Howard Carter. The tomb was almost intact and had not been looted. It is located about 400 miles south of the most famous Egyptian archaeological treasures in the Giza area.
10. It is believed that Tutankhamun ascended the throne at the age of eight or nine, around 1334 BC, and ruled for ten years until his death.
11. Studies indicate that he suffered from a number of illnesses and health problems, including circulatory issues, malaria, bone diseases, and clubfoot.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm