Meeting Up with Four ITPers at the Egyptian Museum

As promised, here is the second in the series of blog posts written by Claire and Becca about their recent reunions with ITP fellows in Cairo – enjoy!

Written by Claire Messenger, International Training Programme Manager

While in Cairo, Rebecca and I were lucky enough to meet with colleagues at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square.  Opening in 1902, the museum is home to the gold mask of Tutankhamun, the Narmer Palette and the colossal statue of Amenhotep III and Tiye amongst a treasure trove of wonderful objects.

On arrival Asmaa El-Rabat (ITP 2014) and Fatma Mohamed (ITP 2015) took time out to update us on the archival documentation project they are working on with our BM colleague Sara Kayser. Over the past few months the documentation team have been working hard putting together an exhibition on their work and the history of the incredible archive.  The show, Capturing Egypt on Glass:  Photographic Treasures from the Ministry of Antiquities Archives had opened the day before we arrived so Rebecca and I were able to have a tour with members of the team.

Before Norhan Hassan (ITP 2017) gave us an extensive and informative tour of the galleries we had the great pleasure to meet the Director of the Egyptian Museum, Ms Sabah Abdel-Razek who kindly welcomed us and told us about some of the Museum’s planned projects while we shared news and developments in the ITP.

But that wasn’t where our visit ended.  We then had the opportunity to talk to Marwa Abdel Razek (ITP 2012) about her current role and the database project she is working on.  We discussed the essential role that accurate and detailed documentation plays in the life of any museum.

We’d like to thank Marwa, Noor, Asmaa and Fatma for making our visit so special (and for meeting us at the weekend)!!

Claire