The
ancient gate of King Amenemhat I transported to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
from its original location to join other artefacts in preparation for the new
museum's scheduled opening next year. Written By/ Nevine El-Aref.
Tarek
Tawfik, supervisor-general of the GEM, told Al-Ahram Online Wednesday that the
gate would be put on display at the museum’s grand staircase along with the
colossus of King Ramses II and other gigantic monuments.
Mostafa
Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that
the gate was carved from red granite and engraved with hieroglyphic
inscriptions, among them the official cartouche of King Amenemhat I and his
different titles. The gate was uncovered by an Austrian mission in the Ezbet
Helmi area of Tel Al-Dabaa in Egypt's Nile Delta. It weighs six tonnes and is
supported by a vertical stone lintel which is inscribed with hieroglyphic text.
Eissa
Zidan, the director of first-aid restoration at the GEM, said that prior to the
move, the gate was subjected to essential restoration work, using scientific
methods to pack and transport the items. He said the artefact would undergo
further restoration at the GEM.
King
Amenemhat I reigned from 1991 – 1962 BC and was the first ruler of ancient
Egypt's Twelfth Dynasty which is considered by scholars to be the golden age of
the Middle Kingdom.
