New Grand Egyptian Museum to exhibit millennia of cultural history | DW News

Key Concepts

• Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM): A new, state-of-the-art museum in Egypt designed to house and display its vast collection of artifacts.
• Ramses II Statue: An 11-meter tall, 80-ton, 3,200-year-old statue of the pharaoh Ramses II, prominently displayed in the GEM's entry hall.
• Tutankhamun's Treasures: All 5,600 artifacts from Tutankhamun's tomb, including his iconic funerary mask, are now assembled in one location at the GEM for the first time since their excavation.
• Bust of Nefertiti: A world-famous ancient Egyptian artifact discovered by German archaeologists in 1912 and currently housed in Berlin, sparking a repatriation dispute with Egypt.
• Repatriation: The act of returning an artifact or cultural heritage to its country of origin.
• Legality vs. Legitimacy: The distinction between whether an artifact was transferred according to the laws of the time (legality) versus whether its current possession is morally or ethically justifiable (legitimacy).
• Imperialist World Order: The historical context of colonial powers dictating terms for the acquisition and transfer of cultural artifacts.
• International Stewardship/Rotating Display: Proposed compromise solutions for the Nefertiti bust, involving shared or temporary exhibition.

Grand Egyptian Museum: A New Era for Egyptian Heritage

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is set to fully open its doors, marking a significant milestone in Egypt's efforts to showcase its rich historical artifacts. This new museum aims to provide a proper space for artifacts previously lacking adequate display facilities in older institutions, such as the Egyptian Museum in Tahir Square.

Scale and Significance of the GEM

• Vast Collection: The GEM houses approximately 100,000 artifacts spanning millennia of Egyptian cultural history.
• Prominent Displays:
  • The statue of Ramses II, an 11-meter tall, 80-ton, 3,200-year-old monument, dominates the entry hall.
  • For the first time since their excavation by Howard Carter, all 5,600 treasures from Tutankhamun's tomb are assembled in one location. This includes the world-famous funerary mask, displayed with strict security measures and lighting designed to make it appear as if it's floating, emphasizing the artifact itself.
• Beyond Exhibition: The GEM is envisioned as more than just a museum; it will also serve as a research center and a laboratory for conservators, highlighting Egypt's advancements in science, culture, and curation.

Impact on Tourism and National Identity

• Projected Tourism Growth: Egypt anticipates 18 million visitors this year, with the GEM expected to increase tourist numbers by at least 10% to 20%.
• Symbol of National Identity: The GEM is presented as a new symbol of national identity, particularly in light of the ongoing disputes over Egyptian artifacts held in museums worldwide.

The Nefertiti Bust Dispute: Legality, Morality, and Legitimacy

The opening of the GEM has reignited Egypt's calls for Germany to return the world-famous bust of Queen Nefertiti. This artifact, discovered by German archaeologists in 1912 and taken to Germany, has been on display in Berlin for over a century.

Historical Context and Emotional Value

• Global Fame vs. National Significance: While Nefertiti is globally recognized, the bust holds particular value for Egyptians, serving as a crucial link between their present-day identity and their ancient heritage.
• Regime's Self-Representation: For current and past Egyptian regimes, the bust is a tool for linking contemporary Egypt with its pharaonic past and imperial legacy.

The Complicated Nature of the Dispute

• Legal Transfer: Legally, the bust was transferred to Germany according to the laws of the time, a fact not disputed by the Egyptian side.
• Moral and Ethical Concerns: However, since the 1920s, Egypt has argued that while the transfer was legal, the bust morally should have remained in Egypt.
• Imperialist Framework: The core of the dispute lies in the fact that the laws of the time were part of an imperialist world order, where it was permissible for half of discovered artifacts to be transferred to the excavating country. This practice was discontinued by Egypt itself about a decade later.
• Shift from Legality to Legitimacy: The current debate is less about the legality of the original transfer and more about the legitimacy of Germany's continued possession of the artifact.

Proposed Solutions and Obstacles

• Repatriation Demands: Former Egyptian antiquities chief Zahi Hawas is demanding full repatriation.
• Middle Ground Proposals: Professor Sebastian Conrad suggests solutions like international stewardship or a rotating display.
• Challenges to Compromise: Both Berlin and Cairo currently insist on full ownership, making compromise difficult. Professor Conrad suggests that the focus should shift from physical ownership to finding new ways of dealing with cultural objects that have a significance beyond their immediate location.

Future Outlook

• Increasing Pressure: The opening of the GEM and Cairo's diplomatic efforts are expected to increase pressure on the German government.
• Self-Interest as a Driver: Professor Conrad believes that the return of the bust is most likely to occur if Germany perceives it to be in its own interest, similar to the case of the Benin Bronzes. The timing of such a decision remains uncertain.

Conclusion

The Grand Egyptian Museum represents a significant step forward for Egypt in reclaiming and showcasing its immense historical and cultural heritage. Simultaneously, the ongoing dispute over the Nefertiti bust highlights the complex interplay of legality, morality, and national identity in the context of historical artifact ownership, underscoring the evolving global discourse on cultural repatriation.