Dr. Zahi Hawass has opened an exhibition in the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square showing a number of Fayoum portraits.

The exhibition is set to go on display for two months. It includes 12 portraits and 7 busts considered of major significance.

Dr. Hawass said that the first such portrait replacing mummy masks and busts date back to the first century A.D. Pharaohs used them to help their souls recognize their bodies in the after-life...

[More], Egypt State Information Service, Egypt, June 09, 2005.

Minister of Culture Dr. Farouk Hosni confirmed that work is going on to establish Civilization Museum at Al-Fostat saying that the museum establishments will end in 6 months to be followed by preparing the museum from inside.

Hosni said the stage of establishments would cost LE 317 million and that the second stage would cost LE 250 million, thus the total cost of the museum amounts to LE 567 million funded wholly by Save Nubia Fund (SNF) under the supervision of the UNESCO...

[More], Egypt State Information Service, Egypt, June 09, 2005.