The Luxor Museum is a beautiful modern museum. It's small, but the pieces it has are impressive and impeccably displayed. And they let you take pictures (without flash). Some of the pictures I took were of the explanatory text, which I've transcribed where possible.

This shows what the museum looked like generally. There's a cart that was in Tuthankamen's tomb in the rear corner.

This colossal statue is inscribed for Seti I, second king of the 19th Dynasty, but the style suggests that it was carved slightly earlier. Precious and semi-precious materials would have been used to complete the details of the figure. For example, the kilt, the sporrah of which is now missing, would most likely have been covered with gold, and the eyes and eyebrows inlaid perhaps with lapis lazuli. Bracelets would once have covered the joins between hand and wrist. The statue was discovered in six pieces and was reassembled in beginning of this century. A new reconstruction of the thigh area has recently been carried out (correcting a previous restoration).

A mummy.

This elegant block statue represents Amenhotep, son of Hapu, the most powerful official in Egypt during the reigh of Amenhotep III (1410 - 1372 BC). The inscription on the body of the statue tells of his rise through the ranks of the royal administration, collecting many important titles and duties as he progressed. He lived at least into his eighties, and was granted the exceptional honor of his own mortuary temple on the West Bank of Thebes. Among the duties he performed during the early part of his career was the recruiting of young men to serve in the army.

Detail of the inscription.

Abu Ghraib isn't news: "A prostrate enemy is shown here, his hands tied uncomfortably behind his back in the typical posture of the subjugated prisoner. His features and hairstyle indentify him as a native of Syria-Palestine. The inscription bears an offering dedicated to a man named Peninhery."

This statue of a seated scribe represents Amenhotep, son of Hapu, an important official under Amenhotep III. As Overseer of all the King's works, he was responsible for many of the king's building projects. The inscription on this statue identifies it as an intermediary between the public, not otherwise allowed access to the temple precinct, and the god Amun.

Tutankhamen as the god Amun: The young king is shown with the headdress of the foremost deity of the Egyptian empire, wearing the tall crown with plumes.

King Amenhotep IV.

Cow Goddess from the tomb of Tutankhamen: The name of the deity is Mehit-Werit. She welcomed the deceased king into the world of the dead.

King Thutmosis: The block once formed part of a huge temple wall and shows the ruler wearing the so-called Atef crown.

King Thutmose III -- One of the finest statues ever carved in ancient Egypt. It represents Thutmose III eternally youthful, confident of his divine majesty and power.

Amenhotep III.

A cat mummy in the Mummification Museum a short walk up the Nile from the Luxor Museum.

A fish mummy.

A crocodile mummy.

On to Karnak Temple