Preparations for transfer of 22 royal mummies finalized

CAIRO - 15 January 2020: The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is preparing to transfer the royal mummies from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat.

The mummies will be transferred in an international ceremony and under high security measures. The transfer process will be treated as an important event, no less in importance in the previous transfer of Ramses statue that was transferred to the main lobby of the Grand Egyptian Museum.

In total, 22 royal mummies will be transferred to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat.

General Manager of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Sabah Abdel-Razek explained that currently 22 royal mummies are being prepared to be transferred to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir.

A committee composed of specialists from the Tahrir Museum and the National Research Center of the Ministry of Antiquities, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the Grand Egyptian Museum are maintaining and sterilizing the mummies.

Abdel Razek further clarified that the mummies- after being documented- will be transferred in special containers to protect them from any shocks or damages.

Abdel Razek added that a rehearsal of the transfer took place on Jan. 14. Special cars will be used for the transport of the 22 mummies, to prevent any harm or damages.

For his part, veteran archaeologist Zahi Hawass told the press the transfer event will be broadcast globally, covering the mummies' departure from the Egyptian Museum and their arrival at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat.

The number of mummies and coffins to be transported is 22 royal mummies and 17 royal coffins, dating back to the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th Dynasties. 18 of the mummies are for kings, while 4 are the mummies of queens.

Among the mummies transferred are mummies for King Ramses II, King Seqenenre Tao, King Tuthmosis III, King Seti I, Queen Hatshepsut, and Queen Meritamen; the wife of King Amenhotep I, and Queen Ahmose Nefertari, the wife of King Ahmose I.

The royal mummies will be transferred to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in a large march, in preparation for the opening of three halls that include the central exhibition hall and the mummies hall.