Restoration of King Khufu's Solar Boat at the Grand Egyptian Museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo has commenced the public assembly of a cedarwood boat belonging to Pharaoh King Khufu, one of two boats discovered in 1954 near the Great Pyramid. The restoration process began on December 23, 2025, with the boat, measuring 42 meters (137 feet) and consisting of 1,650 wooden pieces, expected to take approximately four years to complete. This project is being closely monitored by visitors, offering a unique opportunity to witness the restoration in real-time.

Restoration of pharaoh’s boat begins in public view at Egypt’s GEMNew York PostTaipei TimesEgypt begins reassembling ancient pharaoh’s boat at new museumAncient Egyptian pharaoh's boat being reassembled at Egyptian MuseumChicago Tribune

Issa Zeidan, head of restoration at GEM, oversees the assembly, which is taking place next to its already-assembled twin that has been on display. The museum, which recently opened with a budget of $1 billion, is touted as the largest museum in the world, housing nearly 50,000 artifacts, including treasures from the tomb of King Tutankhamun.

Chicago Tribune

King Khufu, who ruled ancient Egypt over 4,500 years ago, is best known for constructing the Great Pyramid of Giza. The exact purpose of the solar boats remains a topic of debate among experts. Some believe they were intended to transport Khufu's body during his funeral, while others suggest they were meant for his afterlife journey with the sun god Ra.

New York Post

The excavation of the second boat's wooden fragments began in 2014, following years of preservation and documentation efforts. Ahmed Ghoneim, CEO of GEM, noted that while Khufu's first solar boat was found almost complete, the second boat was discovered in a significantly deteriorated state.

Egypt begins reassembling ancient pharaoh’s boat at new museum

The GEM is strategically located near the pyramids at the edge of Cairo and is expected to significantly boost Egypt's tourism revenues, which are crucial for the country's economy. The restoration of King Khufu's boat is seen as one of the most important restoration projects of the 21st century, according to Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy. He emphasized the project's global heritage significance and its potential to enhance educational experiences for visitors.

Egypt begins reassembling ancient pharaoh’s boat at new museum

While the restoration project has garnered attention and support, some critics have raised concerns about the allocation of resources towards such high-profile projects amid ongoing economic challenges in Egypt. They argue that the focus should also be on addressing immediate social and economic issues facing the population.

Taipei Times

• “You’re witnessing today one of the most important restoration projects in the 21st century,” — Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities

New York Post

• “Restoration in front of visitors is a dimension you cannot find in museums around the world,” — Ahmed Ghoneim, CEO of GEM

Egypt begins reassembling ancient pharaoh’s boat at new museum

The assembly of King Khufu's solar boat not only represents a significant archaeological endeavor but also serves as a focal point for Egypt's efforts to revitalize its tourism sector and preserve its rich cultural heritage.

Egypt begins reassembling ancient pharaoh’s boat at new museum