Among the most striking elements is an owl sculpture at the entrance, a Zapotec symbol linked to night and death, whose beak partially covers a human face believed to represent the tomb’s occupant. Inside, mural paintings rendered in red, blue, green, white and ochre are now being studied by specialists from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).

President Claudia Sheinbaum described the find as the country’s most significant archaeological discovery in a decade, highlighting its exceptional preservation and the cultural and symbolic information it provides about Zapotec society .

“We jointly celebrate the Grand Egyptian Museum's opening; we write a new chapter in this ancient nation's history,” El-Sisi said in his address. “This stands as the world's largest museum dedicated to one civilisation – Egypt's eternal civilisation whose splendour never fades.”

The president emphasised the role of international collaboration in bringing the decades-long project to fruition, highlighting Japan's significant support.

The Grand Egyptian Museum, located near the Giza Pyramids, is considered the largest cultural structure built in the 21st century. Although first conceived in the 1990s, the foundation stone was laid in 2002 under the supervision of UNESCO.

Designed as one of the most advanced and expansive museum complexes globally, GEM aims to welcome seven million visitors annually in its initial phase, targeting a total of 30 million visitors by 2031.