The general supervisor of the Grand Egyptian Museum, Tarek Tawfik, said the museum received Tuesday the statue of King Akhenaten, better known as the king of monotheism in ancient Egypt, and the statues of King Amenhotep II and King Thutmose III.
Noteworthy artifacts received include pieces from the boy-king Tutankhamun's collection, along with 850 other artifacts belonging to the Middle and New Kingdoms.
Tawfik explained that the artifacts will be displayed by the museum, which is expected to be partially inaugurated by the end of 2017.
The director general of restoration and transfer of artifacts to the Grand Egyptian Museum, Eissa Zeidan, said the museum's specialist team prepared a detailed report on the status of the pieces upon their arrival, pointing out that the latest scientific methods were followed in packing the artifacts to ensure their safety during the transfer.
Many pieces are in urgent need of restoration, especially the pieces of King Tutankhamun, which might take months of work.
The statue of King Akhenaten, belonging to the 18th Dynasty, is one of the heaviest and most important in the collection received. It is made of sandstone and deemed in a good state, he added.
The manager of restoration work at the museum, Ossama Aboul Khair, said that among the transferred items are two granite statues.
The first depicts King Amenhotep II standing and wearing a short kilt, with his left leg forward. He wears a mongoose headdress and his hands are held straight on the kilt.
The second statue is of King Thutmose III, also in standing pose, wearing a kilt and a headdress made of mongoose, he added.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
