Ancient Solar Boat is moved from pyramids at Giza to Egypt’s new grand museum

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Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. exhibit / ɪgˈzɪb ɪt / (v.) – to present or show publicly
    Example:

    The museum decided it was no longer safe to exhibit the painting to the public.


  2. vessel / ˈvɛs əl / (n.) – a boat or other watercraft
    Example:

    The vessel was lost at sea in the storm.


  3. cedarwood / ˈsi dərˌwʊd / (n.) – a type of wood that has special properties that keep insects away
    Example:

    I usually store my sweaters in cedarwood trunks during spring and summer.


  4. artifact / ˈɑr təˌfækt / (n.) – an object from a specific period of time, especially one made or altered by humans
    Example:

    Scientists believe the artifact is from around the time of Cleopatra.


  5. antiquities / ænˈtɪk wɪ tɪz / (n.) – things from ancient times, such as coins, pottery, and buildings
    Example:

    My uncle spent a lot of money collecting Greek antiquities.


Article

Read the text below.

A 4,600-year-old boat in Egypt now has a new home in Giza. King Khufu’s Boat was exhibited for decades at a museum in Giza Plateau. But on Aug. 7, the boat —sometimes called the Solar Boat — was moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum, or GEM.


It took 48 hours to move the vessel, according to Atef Moftah, supervisor general of the GEM project. It is 42 meters long, weighs 20 tons and is made of cedarwood. It was moved inside a metal cage on top of a vehicle. The vehicle was driven by remote control.


The Solar Boat was discovered in 1954 at a corner of the Great Pyramid. It is “the biggest and oldest organic artifact made of wood in the history of humanity,” the tourism and antiquities ministry said in a statement.


The Grand Egyptian Museum will open later this year. It will be the world’s largest archaeological museum. (Reuters)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • It took 48 hours to move the 42-meter-long, 20-ton Solar Boat to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Do you think it was a good idea to move it, or was it better to keep it at the original museum? Why? Discuss.
  • The Solar Boat was moved inside a metal cage on top of a vehicle that was driven by remote control. Why do you think they chose to do it by remote control? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The Solar Boat is “the biggest and oldest organic artifact made of wood in the history of humanity.” Why do you think some people are amazed by artifacts like this while others are not impressed? What other famous artifacts do you know? Are you impressed by them? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • The Grand Egyptian Museum, the world’s largest archaeological museum, will open later this year. Are you interested in visiting it? What museums in your country would you recommend? Why? Discuss.