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Al-Ahram Weekly 18 - 24 March 1999 Issue No. 421 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 18 - 24 March 1999 Issue No. 421
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Features Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Royal comfort in Pyramid Age
By Nevine El-ArefWe often wonder what life was like in the time of the pyramid-builders. There are many reliefs in the tombs of Saqqara and Giza that depict the lives of farmers, craftsmen, overseers and noblemen. But what of the royal family?
Until recently the funerary collection of Hetep-Heres, mother of the builder of the Great Pyramid, was exhibited near the Tutankhamun treasures on the Egyptian museum's upper floor. Its beauty was, consequently, somewhat overshadowed. Now it has been placed where it belongs historically -- within the Old Kingdom. In here it can be appreciated for what it is -- a remarkable example of the high standard of craftsmanship and royal luxury.
The newly organised hall for the Hetep-Heres collection is a small room. On display are the queen's gold and silver anklets, bracelets and earrings inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones. There is also a complete set of bedroom furniture including a canopied bed (its legs carved like the paws of a lion), carrying chair, armchair, headrest and jewel box. The queen's mirrors and brushes are also on view.
The life-size statue of Senefru, the husband of King Khufu's mother, Hetep-Heres, is a new drawcard at the Egyptian Museum
photo: Khaled El-Fiqi
Work on the museum's ground floor intensified in recent months. The Queen's complete funerary equipment was brought in and placed beside the tiny limestone statues of her son, the great King Khufu, and her husband, Senefru. The latter is a life-size statue showing Senefru wearing a wig and holding an emblem of authority at the entrance.
"This hall was previously used as a storeroom," said Mohamed Saleh, director of the soon-to-be-built Egyptian museum in the pyramid area. "When it was decided to remove this valuable collection to be placed in the context of the era to which it belongs, it was very difficult to find a suitable place. Finally, we thought that an old storeroom would be ideal."
The storeroom has been divided into two. The lower is Hetep-Heres hall, while the upper provides space for a laboratory and researchers. It includes previously stored items displayed on shelves, plus a small computer.
"Eventually, I foresee that all the storerooms in the museum could be put to better use," said Saleh, who pointed out that numerous valuable items are never seen.
Mohamed El-Shimi, the newly-appointed director of the existing Egyptian Museum, said that preparing and organising the Hetep-Heres hall took about a year. New lighting, ventilation and air-conditioning systems were installed, care was given to the special designs of the modern showcases and all the objects were cleaned and restored.
The Hetep-Heres collection was found in 1923 beside Khufu's pyramid complex in Giza. It was in a very poor condition and took a decade to restore to its original splendour.
