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Cairo (dpa) - An exhibition displaying 50 pieces of Egyptian artifacts excavated with contributions from US archeologists opened Tuesday in Cairo.
Entitled American Contribution to Egyptian Archeology, the exhibition shows various Egyptian monuments discovered in sites in southern Egypt, especially at Giza, Abydos and Luxor.
The exhibition is a reflection of the joint US-Egyptian excavation teams and the US contribution to Egyptian archeology throughout the first half of the 20th century, its organizers said.
Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Zahi Hawas inaugurated the exhibition, alongside US Ambassador Francis J Ricciardone.
"Egyptian monuments do not belong to Egypt only, but to the whole world," Hawas said.
"(The exhibition) is important because the US recognizes the importance of Egypt," Ricciardone said.
A painted head of the 18th Dynasty queen Hatshepsut, who was often portrayed wearing the insignia of male pharaohs, was on display, as was a painted cedar coffin of Ahmose Meritamun in a glass container.
Both were discovered between 1926 and 1927 by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MMA) excavation team, spearheaded by HE Winlock who served as director emeritus of the museum from his retirement until his death in 1950.
American excavation endeavours in Egypt started at the beginning of the 20th century at the time of the establishment of the MMA in 1906, and were bolstered with the opening of the American Research Centre in Egypt in 1948.
The research centre collaborated with the American University in Cairo, various museums and a number of professors from the University of Chicago in its mission to carry out in-depth historical research on Egypt, keep records and carry out the preservation of Egyptian monuments.
Copyright 2006 dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
