Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection

Bust of Queen Nefertiti at the Neues Museum, New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, Amarna, Egypt, circa 1340 B.C.

The Egyptian Museum and the Papyrus Collection are the world's most significant collections of ancient Egyptian civilization. Among the most famous works are the bust of Queen Nefertiti, the portrait of Queen Tiye and the original manuscript of Homer's "Iliad".

Since October 17, 2009, the collection of the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection has once again been on display at the Neues Museum. In 1828, under King Frederick William III and on the recommendation of Alexander von Humboldt, an Egyptian section of the Royal Prussian Museums was established. In 1850, the Egyptian Museum moved into the Neues Museum on Museum Island, which had been specially built for it by architect Friedrich August Stüler.

Due to the destruction caused by World War II, parts of the collection were lost, while others were moved to various locations. The bulk of the collection was located in East Berlin and was put on display again at the Bode Museum beginning in 1958. In West Berlin, the remainder of the collection, which had returned from West Germany, was exhibited in the Eastern Stüler Building in Charlottenburg starting in 1967.

Collections of the Egyptian Museum

A famous highlight of the Egyptian Museum is the bust of Queen Nefertiti (ca. 1251–1334 B.C.), which has been a major attraction for visitors since the museum opened. Equally impressive are the statue of the scribe Der-senedj from Memphis (2504–2347 B.C.) and the even older statue of a crouching baboon (ca. 3200–3050 B.C.). Another significant work from the Late Period of Egypt is the Berlin "Green Head" (500 BCE), named for the color of its stone, which already shows influences from the Greek sculptural tradition.

Highlights of the Papyrus Collection

Visitors will find the largest number of exhibits in the papyrus collection. As they examine these precious manuscripts, everyday, religious and royal life in ancient Egypt comes back to life. Highlights include Homer’s "Iliad" and two manuscripts of the story of "Sinuhe".

Monumental architectural structures not yet visible

Large-scale ancient Egyptian architectural structures are to be displayed in the planned fourth wing of the adjacent Pergamon Museum. Once completed, visitors will be able to see, among other things, the Kalabisha Gate and a partial reconstruction of the Temple of Sahu-Re in Abusir.

Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection: Current exhibitions and tickets

Address, Opening Hours and Contact Information

• Address:
  Am Lustgarten
  10178 Berlin
  City map
• Phone: [phone]
• Internet: www.smb.museum
• Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, closed on Mondays
• Accessibility: The Neues Museum is fully wheelchair-accessible.
• Admission Fee:
  €14, concessions €7
• Tickets: Book Tickets »