Summary

• The Nubian Museum in Aswan, Egypt, offers a deep dive into the rich history and culture of Nubia, spanning over 6,500 years.
• The museum showcases an extensive collection of artifacts from the prehistoric period through the Kingdom of Kush, ancient Egyptian influences, and Islamic Nubia.
• Highlights include a 20,000-year-old human skeleton, statues of Nubian rulers like King Shabitko, and important artifacts from the Meroe and Islamic periods.
• The museum’s architecture reflects Nubian heritage, blending modern design with traditional influences.
• With over 500,000 exhibits, it preserves the ancient heritage of Nubia, offering a captivating experience for visitors interested in exploring Egypt’s lesser-known yet profoundly significant history.

Nubian Museum is a living reflection of one of the most ancient and honorable civilizations in History. The International Museum of Nubia was constructed to preserve and display the full archaeological, cultural, historical, and environmental heritage and intricacies of the Nubian history and Culture, which was cultivated over more than 6,500 years across the southern borders.

All travelers will get the chance to explore the deep-rooted history, creative art, and culture of the Nubian people through its vast collections of artifacts and displays which shed light in full detail on: the Nubia territory & habitat, the root of the Nile Valley, the prehistoric age, the Neolithic civilization, the era of the pyramids, the Nubian medieval years, the kingdom of kush, the effect of the ancient Egyptian Civilization in Nubia, the dynastic history of ancient Egypt in the nubia area, the kingdom of Meroe, Christian Nubia, Islamic Nubia, its contemporary modern culture, and the international campaign to rescue Nubian monuments.

The Nubian Museum is Egypt’s gift to the world, where the wealth and soul of the Nubian civilization can be showcased for everyone to explore and honor.

Explore the Grand History of the Nubian Museum

The Nubian Museum was constructed for the sole purpose of honoring Nubian history and Culture, but also created to showcase the essence of the Nubian culture and arts, which explains why the museum became one of the most beautiful museums in Egypt and possibly the globe.

The idea of building a museum for the Nubian culture started in the eighties with an initiative from UNESCO to protect the ruins of the culture from any kind of damage after the creation of the Aswan High Dam in the 60s. The museum won the Agha Khan Prize for the most beautiful architectural building of Islamic Architecture in the world in 2001.

It was designed by an Egyptian architect by the name of Mahmoud Al-Hakim, and the exhibitions were designed by the Mexican designer Pedro Ramirez Varquez for the total cost of $22 MILLION (75 MILLION LE) paid by its sponsor, UNESCO, to store the thousands of artifacts collected during the Nubian Rescue mission.

The museum was built in 198,6 and after more than 10 years, it opened its gates on 23 November 1997 in a grand ceremony that featured the famous singer Mohamed Mounir, who is of Nubian heritage. The museum’s doors are still open to this day for everyone, and you can explore it through one of our amazing tours.

How to reach the Golden Nubian Museum

The Nubian Museum is located near the eastern bank of the Nile River. Its precise address is El Fanadek Street, Aswan, close to the Old Cataract Hotel, making it a central landmark in the city. The museum opens its doors from 9 A.M to 1 P.M. and then from  4 P.M. to 9 P.M. The most convenient option, especially from downtown Aswan, is a 10-minute taxi ride. Many visitors can enjoy a scenic boat ride to Aswan’s Corniche, then walk or take a taxi to the museum.

Witness the Majestic Architecture of the Epic Nubian Museum

The Nubian museum design is breathtaking as it holds a modern building with enclosed walls faced with limestone, accompanied by traditional Nubian design to preserve the heritage of Nubian village Architecture and also shed light on the social, geographical, artistic, and cultural development of Egyptian culture.

The Nubian museum covers 50,000 square meters, 7,000 allocated for the building, and 43,000 for the grounds. it is surrounded from the outside by a massive garden and water channels filled with many plant species that were common in ancient times, artificial lakes, an open-air museum featuring a Fatimid cemetery, a waterway symbolizing the artery of ancient Egyptian civilization plus demonstrating the connection between the river and the Nubian village, and a cave with prehistoric rock inscriptions.

The museum has a huge building consisting of three floors for displaying and housing 3,000 artifacts that go back to 3500 BC from various historical ages, and more than 500,000 displays that tell the full story of the Nubian Culture. The first floor, located below ground level, houses workshops and restoration laboratories. The second floor is a larger hall displaying numerous monuments. The third floor features a library, café, staff rooms, and secure storage for photography and microfilms.

Discover the Various Artifacts in the Nubian Museum

The Nubian museum acts as a magical portal that transports its visitors to ancient times, from the prehistoric days of the kingdom of Kush to the Pharaonic era to the Greco-Roman period to the Coptic & Islamic age until the salvage of the ancient monuments from beneath Lake Nasser.

Inside the Nubian Museum, visitors can explore an array of monuments spanning various historical periods. The most renowned exhibit is a 20,000-year-old human skeleton, discovered in Aswan in 1982, plus a paleolithic axe. The museum has a reconstruction of a Nubian house, which sheds light on the daily life of the Egyptians in Nubia. The museum contains a lecture hall, an educational department, a library, a theatre, and an open amphitheater for the exhibition of Nubian folklore.

The museum showcases around 103 pieces from the Islamic era, 503 from Ancient Egypt, 52 from the Coptic period, and approximately 500 items of unknown origin, all shedding light on Aswan’s and Nubia’s rich heritage. Each artifact is accompanied by a bilingual description in Arabic and English. Visitors will find exquisite jewelry, crowns, and precious stones, as well as tools, furniture, musical instruments, clothing, pottery, and household items, treasures used by Nubians throughout history. More unique pieces depict daily Nubian life, illustrating their attire, professions, and craftsmanship.

The garden of the museum holds more than 80 statues of famous figures in Nubian History and the gods of Ancient Nubia. It has a cave with ancient drawings and artificial lakes, representing the Nile River. The space regularly hosts cultural performances by Nubian artists, offering guests a glimpse into the region’s vibrant traditions and customs.

It holds an impressive collection of amazing ancient Egyptian artifacts and monuments from quartz cosmetic palettes to massive statues to artifacts made of ivory and ebony to very important documents and research that centers around Nubian culture, archaeology, and history. The most renowned monuments to see in the Nubian Museum include:

Statue of King Shabitko

Statue of King Shabitko, who was the 3rd pharaoh of Egypt’s 25th Dynasty, reigning from 707 to 690 BC during a time of Nubian dominance. Though short-lived, this Nubian dynasty managed to challenge centuries of Egyptian control. Shabitko is remembered as one of the most significant rulers of this era, embodying the strength and resilience of Nubia.

Statue of Ramses II

Statue of Ramses II, standing 12 meters tall, dominates the museum, reflecting the grandeur of the Nubian culture over different periods. It is one of the key highlights, towering alongside other impressive monuments.

Statues of Nubian Rulers

Statues of Nubian Rulers are located within the museum, which include Pharaoh Taharqo of the 25th Dynasty with his sister Amenirdis II, and Anjnesneferibra I, which offer a glimpse into Nubia’s royal heritage.

Horse Ornaments and Supplies

Horses held great significance for the ancient Nubians as they were a means of transportation and also served as pets and important participants in religious rituals. It showcases various objects crafted to adorn and equip horses, reflecting their role in Nubian culture.

Tanutamani Stone Relief

Tanutamani, son of King Shabako and nephew of Pharaoh Taharqo, led a campaign through the Nile Valley, conquering Egypt and then crowned himself as pharaoh. Despite an initial victory, he later faced defeat at the hands of the Assyrians after they invaded Egypt and sacked Thebes. Tanutamani continued to be the king of Upper Egypt from 664 to 656 BC, making his mark as one of the final pharaohs of the 25th Dynasty.

Artifacts from the Fortress of Ibrim

With the construction of the Aswan Dam, many relics from the Palace Fortress of Ibrim were salvaged and displayed at the Nubia Museum. The fortress was established between 920 and 800 BC, reflecting a period when the Nubians needed to defend their lands following Egypt’s withdrawal. Today, the remains of Ibrim rise above Lake Nasser, a reminder of Nubia’s fortified past.

Mummies of Sacred Rams

The worship of Amun, the Theban god depicted with a ram’s head and a human body, spread throughout Nubia during Egypt’s imperial reign. As Amun gained prominence, rams became sacred animals, honored and mummified in reverence to the god. The Nubia Museum preserves these sacred ram mummies, offering a fascinating insight into the spiritual life of ancient Nubians.