Grand Egyptian Museum welcomes 4,000 visitors for trial opening

The long-awaited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which boasts the world’s largest collection of antiquities, has faced numerous delays in its over a decade-long construction and assemblage.  However, as of this Wednesday, the museum will welcome 4,000 visitors to its main galleries for a trial run, according to multiple reports.

Al-Tayeb Abbas, assistant to the minister of antiquities, explained that this trial period will help the museum identify and resolve potential issues with overcrowding before its official launch, according to The Guardian.

The museum’s 12 halls, featuring cutting-edge technology and multimedia displays, will explore various aspects of ancient Egyptian society, including religion and doctrine. The exhibits will be arranged by dynasty and historical era, according to Abbas, covering periods from the Old Kingdom (2649–2130 BC) to the New Kingdom (1550–1070 BC).

Currently, the museum’s six-story grand staircase, offering views of the pyramids, and its commercial areas are open to the public. These spaces showcase several monuments and artifacts, including sarcophagi and statues. However, the famous Tutankhamun collection is not yet accessible to visitors.

When fully opened, the museum will display over 100,000 ancient Egyptian artifacts, according to the museum’s website. The project, which has cost more than $1 billion, has yet to announce an official opening date.