Crowds in Cairo witnessed an historic event this week, as a procession moved the mummified remains of past rulers from one museum to another.
The 18 kings and four queens were transported from the Egyptian Museum to the new National Museum of Egypt, in a 5km procession that was full of symbolism and ceremony.
Security guarded the move, which was formally known as the Pharaohs’ Golden Parade.
The rulers were transported in chronological order of their reigns, beginning with the Seqenenre Taa II, who ruled in the 17th Dynasty, and continued through to Ramses IX whose rule was in the 12th Century BC.
Every care was taken to preserve and protect the remains, which were stored in boxes filled with nitrogen.
There was a single vehicle for each mummy, and all vehicles were decorated and surrounded by their own motorcade. The government had even re-paved some of the roads to ensure the move was as smooth as possible.
A 21-gun salute accompanied the procession, and the mummies were greeted at their destination by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Their new museum home has been opened with the aim of renewing tourism in the region, an industry that has suffered particularly badly due to the pandemic. The museum will open on 18th April.