Land of the Pharaohs

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          Photography by Roy Slovenko

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo  holds much of the rare archaeological treasure that escaped the pillaging of the pharaohs' tombs.  The photo montage at right shows the sacred Scarab Beetle symbol; adornment on a king's throne; and statue of the great Ramses II, who reigned in the 13th century B.C. 

Among the precious antiquities displayed at the Museum are the gold mask and sarcophagus of the boy king, Tutankhamen (popularly known as King Tut).

On the outskirts of Cairo (near Giza) stand the Great Pyramids, built some 4,600 years ago as mausoleum temples for the kings Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus.  Here also stands the Great Sphinx, a monument whose meaning and purpose remain shrouded in mystery.

Camel rider at Giza

The lion-like body of the Sphinx, about 50 meters long, was chiseled from a single block of stone.