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Janaury Issue 2008
Columbia Museum of Art in Columbia, SC, Offers Exhibit of Egyptian Life
Excavating Egypt: Great Discoveries from the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, will be on view in the Lipscomb Family Galleries at the Columbia Museum of Art, in Columbia, SC, from Jan 27 through June 8, 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 W. M. Flinders 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 BC; a fragment of mankind's first history book from 2900 BC; 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 BC.
The exhibition also includes funerary objects: canopic jars, coffins and a gold mummy mask, papyrus texts from the Book of the Dead, and a wood and encaustic portrait from the Roman period. Ancient objects from daily life 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 Kuhfu, 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.
This exhibition is organized by the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University in cooperation with the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, University College, London, with generous support provided by the Massey Charitable Trust and the Georgia Council for the Arts.
For further information check our SC Institutional
Gallery listings, call the Museum at 803/799-2810 or visit (www.columbiamuseum.org).
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