The Nubia Museum
http://www.touregypt.net/nubiamuseum.htm

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TheNubia Museum harbors the history of the "Land of Gold" as the word Nubia in the Hieroglyphic, language of ancientEgypt in which pictorial symbols are used to represent meaning and sounds, means the "Land of Gold"...Hence, this land, over times, was abounding in monumental treasures.
TheNubiaMuseum, in Aswan, as a matter of fact, is deemed to be one of the most
important Egyptian museums. A number of factors have combined together, yielding the magnificence of such museum, as it is the only unique open museum of its kind.
Preparing this museum lasted for ten years, all dedicated for hard work to come up with such lovely museum. Let alone, it stands as a wonderful model of international cultural cooperation representing in United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

In April 6 th, 1959, the Egyptian government appealed to the United Nations Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (UNESCO), seeking help to salvage the monumental sites in Nubia, hence, the area between Aswan and the Sudan was inundated by the Nile waters especially after completing the Aswan Dam.
The response of the (UNESCO), in fact, came fast, as it called upon the international
community to contribute to this project.
Since then, (UNESCO) has been a key player in the archaeological field in Egypt.
In no time, the executive committee, comprising representative of 15 member states, was set up, and was commissioned with studying technical, monumental and financial reports with the aim of providing the (UNESCO) with basic information required to effectively implement the project.
Unsurprisingly then that the operation of saving the Nubian monuments was described as the greatest in the history of saving monuments.
The operation, as known, included dismantling Abu Simbel Temple,inter alia, moving it to another area to be reassembled once again. Abu Simbel Temple was completely dismantled to 1036 pieces, each with average of 7 to 30 tons, as they were rebuilt on the top of the mountain overlooking the genuine spots, drawn by the ancient Egyptians 3000 years ago.
The world outcry, however, was translated into many concrete actions; donations to salvage the deteriorated-condition monuments, a number of excavation missions - which pursued their tasks in such hard conditions in areas extend 500 kilometers along theNile banks.
A number of 40 missions have taken part in this great but difficult job, unearthing several priceless treasures dating back to pre-history times; Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Islamic and Coptic. Fossils, which were discovered during excavations, undoubtedly provided full knowledge about Nubian life and its development along ages. In January, 1975, the General Egyptian Authority for Antiquities submitted a request to the (UNESCO) seeking the organization's assistance to preserve the ancient Egyptian
monuments, through establishing a city for museums harboring a cluster of open museums with a view to displaying rare and wonderful monuments of various ages.
Being the main supporter to save the Nubian monuments, the (UNESCO) approved this request, and entrusted the executive committee, responsible for salvaging operations, with assuming the tasks of this new project. This committee was named the "The Executive Committee for the International Campaign for Establishing theInternationalMuseum of the Monuments of Nubia in Aswan, and the National Museum for Ancient Egyptian Museum in Cairo".
Since February, 1981, a number of symposiums and seminars was held for contribution to this great project. It was the first time in the history of the (USECO) to decide launching an international campaign to establish local museum. This, however, could be ascribed to the magnificent monumental treasuresEgypt has. On February 4 th, 1986, the foundation stone of the museum of Nubia was laid down, playing
new effective role that was derived from the spring of culture and civilization at both home and international levels. To the Egyptians, the museum is to display life over centuries. As for foreign visitors, the museum will show the history of such unique area, as a source of knowledge for researchers from around the globe.
The International Museum of Nubia is located in Aswan on an area of 50,000 square
meters, 7000 of which are excluded to building, while the rest designed to be the yard of the museum. The building has three floors for displaying and housing, in addition to a library and information center. The largest part of the museum is occupied by the monumental pieces, reflecting phases of the development of the Nubian culture and civilization. Three thousands pieces of antiq., representing various ages; Geological, Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic and Islamic, were registered. The open-door exhibition includes 90 rare monumental pieces, while the internal halls contain 50 invaluable pieces dating back to the pre-history times, 503 pieces belong to Pharaonic time, 52 of Coptic era, 103 of Islamic age, 140 of Nubian time, in addition to 360 pieces having the tang of Aswan. The work in this unique edifice lasted for 11 years straight, and cost LE 60 million. The museum of Nubia gained this unique position simply because it harbors unique monuments not in any elsewhere.
It houses the statute of Ramsis II, which was laid at the very forefront of the Museum,
statute of Amenras the spiritual wife of Amen, she is of Nubian origin. It, also, has the head of the Shpatka, of the Nubian origin, made of rosy granite, head of black granite of Tahraqa, the Nubian King, whose reign during the 7th century BC was said to be full of prosperity. There is a temple of his name with gold-plated pillars. There are, also, four mummies for nobles, which were found in Kashmatkh town in Nubia.
The museum, as well, houses several models and styles of the Nubian heritage, the
panorama of theNile, depicting live image of the River Nile streaming through its banks. There is also a model for the Nubian-style house, typically copied to mirror the nature of life inNubia. All pieces exhibited in the museum reflect the character of the Nubia over history and display how it merged with the Islamic civilization on one hand and the mother civilization ofEgypt on the other. So, the museum of Nubia plays vital role not only at the level of promoting Nubia to the entire world but also at the level of maintaining monuments and supporting researchers, interested in Nubia, from around the globe. This, however could be achieved through the museum's study center and the documentation centers which publish more information on the "Land of Gold" in Egypt, the past, the present and the future. Nubia Museum, which hosts 3000 monumental pieces of several times, ranks tenth in the list of the museums naugurated in Egypt over the past three years. An array of important museums, however, has been inaugurated; Mohamed Nagui Museum, Modern Egyptian Art Museum, Museum of Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil and his wife, Museum of Ahmed Desouki,Port Said Museum for Modern Arts, Taha Hussein Museum, and the Mummification Museum
in Luxor.

Exhibits

The Prehistoric Age

Oval vessel dating to Nubian prehistory.

Leaf-shaped arrowhead of enameled quartz dating to Nubian prehistory.

Rock engraving depicting a cow dating to Nubian prehistory.

Ostrich egg with engravings of animals, dating to Nubian prehistory.

Exhibits
The Pharaonic Age

Statue of Rameses II

The Main Exhibition Hall of the Nubia Museum, featuring the historic treasures of Nubia, with the statue of Rameses II as the centerpiece.

Statue of Hur Em Ekt, son of King Shabitka (25th Dynasty).

Statue of Osiris wearing the al-atf crown. Colored wood. From the Late Age (525-360 BC).

Head of King Shebtko. Red granite. 25th Dynasty (712-657 BC).

A tableau of Nubian troops ready for war.

Preparation Stage

Limestone statue of a woman with a wig, dating back to C Group.

Head of King Taharka, made of rosy granite, dating back to the 25th Dynasty (712-657 BC).

A Pharaonic cabinet.

Exhibits
Greco-Roman Times

Foot-shaped censer, pottery.

A collection of god-shaped amulets. Blue porcelain. c.395-332 BC.

Exhibits
Christianity

A mural of Jesus. 10th Century AD, Abd-Allah Nrki Church, Nubia.

A tombstone featuring an eagle spreading its wings above Coptic writing.

Part of a manuscript (prayer book) written in the Coptic language. 4-6th century AD, Riqq, Al-Lauz Palace, Nubia

Exhibits
Islam

A proxy written on dated paper. Mameluke Age, (8th CH/14th Century AD), Abrim Palace, Nubia.

A toy camel of Islamic folk heritage. Stuffed wood.

An Islamic tomb in Aswan. Baked bricks. Fatimid Age. 5th CH/11 Century AD.

A large plate. The inside is painted brownish-yellow with writing. Glazed pottery. The Mameluke Age (8th CH/14th Century AD), Adda Mountain, Nubia.

Ottoman Era title deed written in the Nasekh calligraphy.

A piece of blue fabric dating to the onset of the Islamic Era.

Exhibits
Nubian Folk Heritage

Folk artifacts of Nubia.

Statues representing Nubian dance and costume.

Iqd al-beh, a 21-carat gold necklace consisting of six conical pieces and a round one decorated with crescents and stars. Recently made, Cairo.