In pictures: Egyptian Museum turns 100

Cairo's Egyptian Museum has celebrated its 100th birthday by "excavating" its own storerooms. Some 250 items never before shown to the public went on display, including a rare statue of a high priest smiling and one of the world's oldest known prostheses - a wooden toe.

A new gallery opened in the basement of the museum as part of the celebration attended by Egypt's first lady, Suzanne Mubarak.

Museum staff worked hard to get ready for the event ...

.... outside as well as inside

The museum is one of Cairo's top attractions

It opened a brand new basement gallery for the centenary

Ancient and modern: Laser lights lit up the museum behind a sphinx statue