Islamic, Coptic and Greco-Roman pieces go on display in Sinai
Egypt, Local, 9/9/2004

Al-Arish regional museum, which has been undergoing preparation for some years now, is to be officially opened during celebrations of the October Victory.

Arish falls within the governorate of North Sinai, an area which witnessed rich historical events through the years

ÊÊÊ The items to be put at display at the museum are chosen among the acquisitions of the Islamic, Coptic and Greco-Roman Museums in addition to items taken from archaeological storehouses in Qantara, Ashmunia and Tel Basta.

Some 1800 pieces have so far been selected.

The museum will basically high-light the history of Sinai through several ages.

Among the significant pieces are an ancient Egyptian statue of Isis, a two-sided icon of the Virgin Mary carrying Christ, a bronze jar in the shape of a crescent and a mural stele of fresco tiles dating back to the Islamic age.

Head of the Museums Sector, Dr. Mahmoud Mabrouk said that two halls are to be allocated to the culture of Sinai.

The premises that comprise a basement, two stores and a display garden, is equipped with laboratories for restoring textiles, stones, metals and photographic development.

The basement, said Mabrouk, includes a gallery for Greco- Roman items, a storehouse and administrative offices. According to the display plan, the first floor will exhibit items from Sinai and artifacts found on the military route of Horus trodden by military troops, as well as trade convoys.

Another hall on the same floor will be allocated for Coptic items, including those related to the trip taken by the Holy Family in Egypt while escaping Roman oppression.

Adjacent to this hall is another one that will display a collection of pottery and ceramic items, in particular those locally-made or imported from Syria and Greece, denoting trade with neighboring countries.

A VIP hall will be also functioning on the first floor.

The second floor, as Director of the Museum Sayed Suleiman said, will include a library and a movie theatre that seats an audience of 50 people.

The display garden, he added will have an out-door theatre with a seating capacity of 250.

The garden will display a building which was used as burial place in pre-historic times.

It is a cylindrical building 4.5 meters high with a diameter of 5 meters.

Inside the building, excavators found some jewels and cosmetics.

He, however, pointed out that most items in the museum will be exhibited in closed showcases with the exception of the huge pieces such as the statues of Ramsis II and Seti II

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