On 5th May 2018, again scholars gathered for the Fourth International Tutankhamun GEM Conference held at the Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel. Over three consecutive days conservators and archaeologist from Egypt and around the world met and presented recent research related to the theme ‘The Antiquities of Tutankhamun: Weapons and Statues’.

The first day of the conference kicked off with the transfer of the last war chariot wheels of King Tutankhamun, previously displayed at the National Military Museum, to the GEM Conservation Centre. The transportation team applied safety measures that had previous been perfected with the Japanese transport team. The transmission of the artefact was broadcast live on Egyptian television so that all Egyptians could witness this great event.

Dr. Eissa Zidan, GEM Director General of the Initial Restoration, Packaging and Transport also gave a lecture on the joint GEM project ‘The Safe Journey of King Tutankhamun's War Wheels to the Grand Egyptian Museum: Documentation, Initial Restoration and Transfer.’ He talked about the objectives of the joint project with the JICA-GEM team and the impact of joint cooperation between Egyptian and Japanese transport and restoration teams.

The conference activities ended with a visit for all conference guests to the GEM Conservation Centre led by Dr. Tawfik. They were shown the restoration work that is being done in the wood, textile and heavy artefacts labs. It was a very successful conference and all attendees expressed their enthusiasm for the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum.