Feature: Egyptian museum holds exhibition highlighting artifact restorers' craft, dedication

The Star

19-05-2025

by Mahmoud Fouly
CAIRO, May 19 (Xinhua) -- In a corner of the Textile Hall of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), a weathered clay coffin is placed under protective glass. Its earthy texture and fragile walls hint at the centuries it has endured beneath Egypt's sands. Inside lie skeletal remains, faint but solemn, accompanied by a modest pottery vessel -- testimonies to a life millennia ago.
It is one of the centerpieces of a special exhibition titled "Hands That Shape Eternity," which was held on Sunday to honor the patient hands of expert artifact restorers as part of the NMEC's celebration of International Museum Day.
Standing beside the coffin, Ehab Ahmed Mahmoud, head of the first aid lab under the NMEC's restoration units, reflected on the painstaking work that went into its revival. The coffin contained the remains of a 16-year-old, buried in a squatting position alongside a pottery vessel.
"This piece dates back to pre-dynastic times. It was unearthed during excavations in Helwan in 1973 and had since been stored in a fragile state for decades," he explained. "We began with careful imaging and testing, then moved step by step to stabilize and restore it for display."
Mahmoud praised the museum for recognizing the behind-the-scenes efforts of its conservation staff.
"Our job is to safeguard Egypt's heritage and pass it on to future generations in the best possible condition," he told Xinhua. "Days like this show that our silent work, essential to preserving civilization, is seen and valued."
Nearby, another restoration caught visitors' eyes -- two wooden boxes, each with a lid topped with a falcon figure. Dating to the New Kingdom (1550 BC-1069 BC) and Late Period (747 BC-332 BC), the boxes were uncovered during excavations at Saqqara.
Though small in size, their vivid paintwork and delicate structure made them susceptible to deterioration. Restorers documented and cleaned the boxes before reinforcing them by reassembling fragments, straightening warped panels, and stabilizing their surfaces against heat and humidity.
"Restoring ancient pieces is more like performing surgery," said Ahmed Ali, a restorer at the NMEC's wood lab who joined the team working on the boxes.
Ali welcomed the spotlight on conservators, stressing that "restorers are vital to the survival of heritage."
"In Egypt, we have rich experience. But to keep advancing, we need to exchange expertise with international museums by digitally sharing 2D and 3D models of our works for discussion," he added.
Another display featured a dark stone statue of a cow, once in pieces, now visibly serene. It was shattered when discovered, missing key parts of the face, lower head, and sections of the legs. Before-and-after photos showcased the effort involved in restoring the artifact.
The exhibition also showcased historical manuscripts dating from the late 18th century to the early 20th century, repaired using both biological and chemical methods.
Mohamed Nabil, who visited the exhibition, was particularly struck by the restorers' dedication. One artifact that caught his attention was a large pottery jar reassembled so precisely "that it looked whole again."
"It is a beautiful experience," he said. "You could clearly see how much work the restoration team has put into bringing back pieces that were completely destroyed."
NMEC CEO El Tayeb Abbas expressed pride in hosting Egypt's official celebration of International Museum Day. He emphasized that museums today are no longer static spaces but dynamic institutions that educate, innovate, and connect with their communities, calling the celebration "an opportunity to exchange expertise and showcase successful heritage conservation models."
Similar exhibitions were held at some other museums nationwide, with free admission to mark the International Museum Day.