Egypt’s Greco-Roman Museum receives 10 huge artifacts

CAIRO – 17 April 2022: The Greco-Roman Museum in Alexandria received ten heavy artifacts to be put on display in the museum ahead of its opening once the development project is completed.

Assistant Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Projects Hisham Samir explained that the transfer process took place in cooperation with the armed forces, and according to pre-set procedures that take into account all safety and security standards followed globally in transporting antiquities.

These pieces were transferred from several places in Alexandria, namely the museum stores in Marina and Maria, the Kom Ash-Shoqafa Area, and the Maritime Museum.

Head of the Museums Sector Moamen Othman explained that one of the most prominent pieces that were transferred from the Maritime Museum is the Isis Pharia statue, which is one of the largest statues to be displayed in the museum, pointing out that it is made of pink granite and divided into three parts: A crown of the sun disk, topped by the two feathers of Isis; an upper part consisting of the head and chest with a length of 265 cm, a width of 185, and a weight of 7.5 tons; and a lower part that is 380 cm long, 120 cm wide, and weighs about 10 tons.

Othman further stressed that for the first time these parts will be assembled and restored for the statue to be displayed in the museum's garden.

Head of the Central Administration for Museums Sector Affairs Ali Dahi indicated that the statue of Isis Pharia was discovered by the archaeologist Kamel Abu al-Sa’adat in the 1960s, east of Qaitbay Citadel and the Eastern Port. It was recovered by the naval forces in 1962, when it was transferred to the Serapeum and Pompey’s Pillar area. In 1991, the statue was transferred to the Maritime Museum. 

As for the upper part of the statue and the crown, it was discovered by the submerged archaeological mission in the eastern port, and it was recovered, restored and displayed in the theater area of the Maritime Museum.

For her part, Director General of the Greco-Roman Museum Walaa Mustafa said that the other pieces that were transferred included a marble statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, which is 2 meters high, and weighs 5 tons. This is in addition to a marble statue of the hero Hercules (2.15m in height, and weighing 8 tons), a statue of Emperor Septimius Severus in marble (2m in height and weighs 3 tons), a plaque with a limestone waterwheel, and a granite head of the Roman commander Mark Antony.

It should be noted that the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is currently working on developing the Greco-Roman Museum in Alexandria, which is scheduled to open in the coming period. The development work included the completion of engineering works, and the preparation of the museum’s display scenario.

The museum will include various artifacts dating back to the Greek and Roman eras, in addition to a museum garden, a center for preservation and restoration of antiquities, another center for currency research, a scientific research center, and a historical library. The museum is also equipped for individuals with special needs and facilitated tourism.

The area surrounding the museum will be developed, and that includes the squares, streets, buildings, and lighting poles. Parking spaces for cars and tourist buses will be provided.