Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities recently relocated the 4,600-year-old Solar Boat of King Khufu from its site near the Great Pyramid of Giza to the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
Dating back to the Fourth Dynasty, the Solar Boat is one of the oldest intact wooden boats discovered, providing insights into ancient Egypt’s advanced shipbuilding techniques.
Egyptian archaeologist Kamal el-Mallakh discovered the Solar Boat in 1954, buried at the southern corner of the Great Pyramid, believed to aid the pharaoh’s journey to the afterlife.
To protect the boat for future viewing, a special remote-controlled vehicle transported the 20-ton, 42-meter (138 feet) vessel in a carefully planned operation spanning 48 hours.
This ceremonial boat, likely placed near the pyramid for spiritual purposes, highlights the ancient Egyptians’ belief in an afterlife journey for their pharaohs.
Credit :NASA
Made of high-quality cedar wood, the boat showcases the skill and materials used by Egyptian shipbuilders, with extensive restoration led by Egyptian Department of Antiquities’ chief restorer, Ahmed Youssef Moustafa.
The GEM, scheduled to open later this year, will display the Solar Boat among over 100,000 ancient Egyptian artifacts.
This ancient vessel offers a window into Egypt’s religious practices and enduring cultural heritage, reflecting the importance of the afterlife in ancient Egyptian society.