Excavating Egypt:
Great Discoveries from the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
January 27, 2008 - June 08, 2008

This major exhibition offers a fascinating view into the lives of both royal and average Egyptians with ancient objects and artwork from the earliest periods of Egyptian history to the late Roman period.

Excavating Egypt features more than 200 of Petrie’s most significant finds – many never before seen by the public. The objects, hidden away in secret storage facilities throughout London at the beginning of World War II, have not been displayed until now. They are part of a remarkable collection of “firsts” and include: one of the world’s oldest garments, a rare beaded-net dress from the Pyramid Age, circa 2400 B.C.; a fragment of mankind’s first history book from 2400 B.C.; the earliest examples of metalwork in Egypt; the earliest examples of glass – so rare the Egyptians classed it with precious gems; the oldest “blueprint,” written on papyrus; the first royal monument, from the reign of the legendary Scorpion King, from 3100 B.C.

Of particular note in the exhibition, are the elaborately-decorated coffin and cartonnage body case of the priest of Duaneteref from the twenty-second dynasty (c.945-715 B.C.) from the Bolton Museum in England that were excavated by Petrie in 1888. A video slide show shows the conservation process of the coffins. The exhibition also includes funerary objects: canopic jars, a gold mummy mask, papyrus texts from the Book of the Dead, and one of the world-famous panel portraits from the Roman period. Also in the exhibition are ancient objects from daily life that illustrate the lives of average Egyptians and include jewelry, writing instruments, sculpture, beautifully crafted cosmetic implements, games and playing pieces, weights and measures, weaponry, ancient tools, and Egyptian masons’ models for pyramid building. Also of note is royal art from the heretic pharaoh Akhenaten and his wife, Nefertiti’s palace-city of Amarna; a bust of Caesarion, the son of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar; and a rare depiction of the pharaoh Khufu, builder of the great pyramid.

Through artwork, archival photos and documents, photomurals, and didactic materials, the exhibition tells the story of archaeologist William Matthew Flinders Petrie (1853-1942) and his exploration of ancient Egyptian civilization and captures the adventurous spirit of the early days of Egyptian archaeology. Excavation notes and personal journals bring to life one of archaeology’s greatest pioneers and sheds light on his innovative methods and theories on the science of archaeology during its infancy.

Excavating Egypt is organized by the Petrie Museum, Univ. College, London and the Michael C. Carlos Museum.


Related Events:
Tour & Tasting – SOLD OUT
The Mummy Who Would Be King
Tour & Tasting – SOLD OUT
Egypt’s Golden Empire: Part Three
Big Hands, Little Hands: All Wound Up!
Discover Egypt Saturday
Discover Egypt Saturday
Egypt’s Golden Empire: Part Three

Related Resources:
View images from this exhibition
Click here for more information on the cell phone tour.

Presenting Sponsors

Dr. Suzan D. Boyd and Mr. M. Edward Sellers

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