For years, the world has awaited this moment: now the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza has opened. It is one of the largest museums in the world and presents, for the first time, the entire treasure of Tutankhamun. “A milestone,” says Irene Forstner-Müller, who heads the Cairo branch of the Austrian Archaeological Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW). The archaeologist explains why this museum is so special — for research, for Egypt, and also for Austria.

Austrian research prominently featured

Ms. Forstner-Müller, the Grand Egyptian Museum has finally opened after many years of construction. What does this mean for archaeology?
Irene Forstner-Müller: For archaeology — and especially for Egyptology — this is a milestone. It’s one of the largest museums in the world, and the largest dedicated to a single discipline: Egyptology and ancient Egypt. Particularly significant is the new Tutankhamun section: for the first time, all the objects from his tomb are displayed together. Previously, only a small fraction was known — the rest was stored in the magazines and basements of the old Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Now we have access to many artifacts we’ve never seen before. That’s fantastic and incredibly exciting for us researchers.

For archaeology, the museum is a milestone.

What does this opening mean to you personally?
Forstner-Müller: I was absolutely thrilled — especially because our own research is so prominently represented there. When you enter the museum, there is a monumental gate structure from Tell el-Dab’a, the ancient city of Avaris, right on the grand staircase — directly from our excavation project in the eastern Nile Delta. There are also objects from Austrian excavations displayed in the showcases. That’s a great recognition of our work and shows that Austrian research is appreciated internationally.

Just a bit of Indiana Jones

What does your research in Egypt actually look like?
Forstner-Müller: Day-to-day work is far less adventurous than what one might imagine from the Indiana Jones films. I spend about a third of the year on excavations — for example, in Tell el-Dab’a or Kom Ombo, where we are currently working. The rest of the time is spent on scientific analysis, publications, and a lot of administration, both with Austrian and Egyptian authorities, from our base in Cairo. Our research focuses on settlement archaeology — we study how people in ancient Egypt lived, worked, and ate, with whom they traded, and what kinds of connections they maintained. Right now, we are excavating a large storage complex from the First Intermediate Period (around 1900–1800 BCE) in Kom Ombo. Our projects are highly international: we collaborate with colleagues from Egypt, Germany, Italy, and France, and work closely with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. We also train students and young researchers — for example, in so-called Field Schools for Egyptian inspectors.

The museum is a symbol of national pride. People all across the country watched the opening.

A symbol of national pride

What significance does the new museum have for Egypt itself?
Forstner-Müller: For Egypt, it’s much more than a museum — it’s a symbol of national pride. During the opening, people across the entire country watched — from farmers in the fields to the upper class in the cities. It was a moment of national unity and identity building. Just as Austrians have Mozart and the Lipizzaner horses, the ancient pharaonic civilization — presented in this museum — is a central part of Egypt’s cultural identity.

Inspiration for generations

Can the new museum change how we see ancient Egypt?
Forstner-Müller: Yes, absolutely. The museum bridges the gap between what people traditionally associate with Egypt — gold, tombs, temples — and everyday life. It also displays tools, clothing, and simple household items. So, it’s not just about death, but about life as well. I’ve even heard that Tutankhamun’s underwear is on display! That shows how comprehensive the presentation really is.

A museum like this can inspire new generations of Egyptologists and captivate people around the world.

How important is it to make history so visible and accessible?
Forstner-Müller: It’s essential. Egyptology has always fascinated people, but a museum of this scale brings research to the public in a completely new way. It can inspire new generations of Egyptologists and excite people worldwide. The opening was broadcast on all Egyptian TV channels and widely shared on social media — a very smart move by the Egyptian side to reach a young audience. Moments like this put Egyptology and knowledge about ancient Egypt on a new global stage — and they also give a boost to tourism and international cooperation.