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The Egyptian Museum in Cairo announced on Saturday that it is now showcasing the golden mask of King Psusennes I after completing a scientific program for examination, conservation, and museum display.
The project was executed by the museum's conservation and restoration team in accordance with the latest international scientific standards.
The redisplay of the mask follows a series of meticulous procedures, including examination and analysis using non-destructive testing techniques to study the gold composition and rare inlays.
These efforts, alongside cleaning and restoration works, aimed to restore the artifact's aesthetic splendor without compromising its historical integrity.
This gold funerary mask, found by the French archaeologist Pierre Montet in 1940, is one of the masterpieces of the Egyptian Museum and the most beautiful artifacts coming from the excavations at Tanis, now Tell San el-Hagar.
The king is portrayed with the nemes headdress with a uraeus, the holy cobra protector of royalty, and idealized features and a usekh necklace.
The project also encompassed the restoration of the silver sarcophagus of King Psusennes I, one of the rarest archaeological pieces due to the immense value of silver during his era.
This restoration was a collaborative effort between the Egyptian Museum team and French conservators, maintaining full adherence to the principles of preventive conservation.
This coincided with the upgrading of the exhibition hall housing the "Masterpieces of Tanis" collection, which includes royal jewelry and amulets.
These artifacts have been mounted using scientific methods that ensure maximum protection within the historic hall, the same space that housed the treasures of King Tutankhamun for nearly a century.
The tomb of King Psusennes I was discovered during World War II, under circumstances that prevented its global significance from being fully recognized at the time.
Today, these modern efforts seek to restore the king to his rightful place among the great monarchs of ancient Egypt.
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo invites the public to visit the newly inaugurated halls to witness the results of these scientific endeavors and enjoy masterpieces that date back over 3,000 years yet continue to resonate with unique cultural and human value.
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