The mummy of king Tutankhamun was laid inside 3 coffins nested within each, with the innermost coffin made of 110.4 kg of solid gold. For the first time since his tomb was opened 100 years ago, the 3 coffins is being displayed together at the new Grand Egyptian Museum now
Title: King Tut’s Golden Coffins Reunited After 100 Years: Historic Display Debuts at Grand Egyptian Museum
Meta Description: For the first time since Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered in 1922, his three iconic nested coffins—including a 110.4 kg solid gold inner coffin—are showcased together at Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum.
A Century-Old Mystery United: Tutankhamun’s Coffins Take Center Stage
One of ancient Egypt’s most enduring legends has reached a new milestone. Over 3,300 years after his death, King Tutankhamun’s burial treasures continue to captivate the world. Now, in a historic first, all three of the boy king’s nested coffins—including the legendary innermost coffin crafted from 110.4 kg of solid gold—are on display together for the first time since archaeologist Howard Carter unearthed his tomb 100 years ago.
The groundbreaking exhibition is the crown jewel of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the world’s largest archaeological museum, now partially open near the Giza Pyramids. This long-awaited reunion of Tutankhamun’s coffins offers a rare glimpse into the pharaoh’s lavish burial traditions and the unparalleled craftsmanship of Egypt’s New Kingdom era.
The Coffins of Tutankhamun: A Story Written in Gold
When Howard Carter first peered into Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, he found a series of breathtaking nested shrines and coffins protecting the young pharaoh’s mummy. The innermost coffin—the most iconic—is a masterpiece of ancient metallurgy:
- Innermost Coffin: Made entirely of solid gold (110.4 kg), it depicts Tutankhamun as Osiris, god of the afterlife, clutching royal insignia. Valued at over $1.5 million for its gold content alone, its true historical worth is immeasurable.
- Middle Coffin: Crafted from gilded wood and glass paste, it features intricate hieroglyphs and deities.
- Outermost Coffin: Also gilded wood, this larger coffin was severely damaged before Carter’s discovery but meticulously restored for this exhibit.
For decades, the coffins were displayed separately across Egypt, with the golden coffin housed in Cairo’s Egyptian Museum. Years of painstaking restoration—especially for the fragile outer coffin—made this reunion possible.
Why This Display Is Unprecedented
The opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb ignited a global fascination with Egyptology, but the coffins’ separation obscured their original context. The GEM’s exhibit recreates their nested arrangement as Carter found them, revealing:
- Sacred Symbolism: Each layer represented a stage in Tutankhamun’s journey to the afterlife.
- Artistic Mastery: Goldsmiths used techniques lost to history to shape the 110.4 kg coffin without seams.
- Political Power: The gold’s sheer weight emphasized Tutankhamun’s divine status amid Egypt’s turbulent Amarna period.
The Grand Egyptian Museum: A New Home for History
The GEM, dubbed “Egypt’s gift to the world,” sits on 5.2 million square feet near the Pyramids. Its Tutankhamun Galleries will eventually showcase 5,000+ artifacts from his tomb, including chariots, jewelry, and the iconic gold mask. For now, the three-coffin display anchors the museum’s soft opening, drawing global attention to Egypt’s $1 billion cultural flagship.
Plan Your Visit
- Where: Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza, Cairo
- When: Open now; the Tutankhamun galleries are accessible with timed tickets.
- Timing: Arrive early—the museum draws 15,000+ visitors daily.
- Pro Tip: Pair your visit with the Giza Pyramid Complex next door.
A Legacy Reforged in Gold
“This display closes a century-old chapter,” says Dr. Mostafa Waziry, Egypt’s Secretary-General of Antiquities. “For the first time, visitors see Tutankhamun as his people intended—protected by layers of art, faith, and gold.”
As the GEM prepares for its full opening in 2024, this landmark exhibit underscores Egypt’s relentless drive to safeguard its heritage. Tutankhamun’s coffins, finally together, remind us that some treasures only grow more precious with time.
Keywords: King Tutankhamun coffins, Grand Egyptian Museum, Tutankhamun tomb discovery, solid gold coffin, Egyptian artifacts exhibit, Howard Carter King Tut, ancient Egypt burial, GEM Cairo, Tutankhamun Pharaoh exhibit, Egyptian Museum Giza.
