It is not only at excavation sites that amazing artefacts can be discovered, but the archives of previous digs as well as the artefacts already in museums can still surprise us. Or what about the basement of the Cairo museum? Thousands of pieces, hidden away from both scholars and public. At least for now. Plans are under way to do a thorough 'clean up'of the gigantic basement and who knows what will come to light when all items are eventually moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum?
Dr Zahi Hawass takes us down into the basement of the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. He explains that when he was younger, he was part of a team which made a discovery in Kom Abu Bellou, and it was upon finding a statue of Aphrodite where Dr Hawass realised his love for Archaeology. But on returning the artefacts to the Cairo Museum, they were simply stored in the basement and forgotten by previous directors. Dr Hawass explains that this is why he is working to open up the basement of Cairo Museum and share its treasures that have been stored away for a long time.
