That said, more than 150 conservators and 100 archaeologists have recently contributed their hearts to one truly amazing project. Over the last twelve years, they have labored with devotion and creativity to recreate the wonders of the boy Pharaoh, King Tutankhamun, as Egypt captures imaginations worldwide. This extensive project focuses on items that have not received restoration since they were unearthed by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922. Once they are exhibited safely, the treasures will go on display in the still-under-construction Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). This monumental $1 billion project seeks to bring these priceless artifacts to life.
Our restoration team has been implementing cutting-edge techniques from 19 different labs. Their work, a combination of urgent duty and reverent practice, employs extensive photographic documentation, including X-ray analysis and material testing to examine the condition of each item. Restoration of treasures Among the treasures on view in the Museum’s restoration and conservation laboratories are King Tut’s gilded coffin; ceremonial chariots; golden amulets; beaded collars. His collection contains two mummified fetuses, reportedly his stillborn daughters.
The Intricacies of Restoration
Recently the most difficult has been King Tut’s gilded coffin, which is famous far and wide for its ornate craftsmanship. Conservators have carefully stabilized fragile pieces using Japanese tissue paper and modern adhesives such as Paraloid B-72 and Klucel G.
“The goal is always to do the least amount necessary—and to respect the object’s history,” – Mohamed Moustafa.
This driving principle highlights the care with which the restoration process is approached. The conservators have meticulously removed layers of wax that British chemist Alfred Lucas placed decades earlier. This wax had absorbed dirt and created a film that dulled the beautiful sheen of the gilding.
“For conservator Fatma Magdy, the work was like solving a massive and ever-shifting puzzle. “The shape of the break, the flow of the hieroglyphs—every detail mattered,” she noted. Our team is passionate about saving the integrity of each artifact. Their commitment is based on a profound respect for the cultural importance of King Tut’s treasures.
The Role of International Collaboration
The restoration project certainly wouldn’t have been the success that it has been without international collaboration. Egyptian conservators recently benefitted from training by Japanese experts, who offered $800 million in loans and technical assistance. This multidisciplinary partnership has allowed Egypt to use the most advanced techniques and materials in their restorations.
Mertah, another conservator involved in the project, expressed his personal connection to the work: “It was my dream to work on his treasures—and that dream came true.” The collaboration has resulted in better, more innovative methodologies that guarantee that King Tut’s objects will be around for many generations to come.
Moreover, as Moustafa mentioned, “I think we’re more excited to see the museum than tourists are.” The GEM will contain more than 100,000 artifacts, with more than 50 percent of them on public display.
A Unique Experience Awaits Visitors
The Grand Egyptian Museum will be a home for King Tut’s stunning treasures. Visitors will get to see a live conservation lab, where they can watch experts in action. This distinctive aspect is designed to increase public involvement and excitement over the detailed work that goes into restoring one-of-a-kind historic artifacts.
“When visitors walk through the museum, they’ll see the beauty of these artifacts. But for us, every piece is a reminder of the endless working hours, the debates, the trainings,” – Mohamed Moustafa.
As restoration is now nearly complete, excitement continues to grow for the upcoming grand opening of the museum itself. Hind Bayoumi, NRCM’s staff and campaign director, underscored the difficulties they encountered in pursuing restoration. While some of the materials tried to hide important information, they did end up beautifully framing the complexity of each work.