The mysteries of ancient Egypt: New exhibitions coming to the Ferens
A limestone ancestor bust of Muteminet
By Simon Bristow
Visitors to Ferens Art Gallery will be able to explore the beauty and mystery of ancient Egypt this spring and summer with two free exhibitions.
They celebrate two of the greatest Egyptian discoveries of the last 200 years - the decoding of the Rosetta Stone in 1822, which unlocked our understanding of the ancient Egyptian world, and the discovery in 1922 of the almost undisturbed tomb of Tutankhamun, which sparked a worldwide sensation.
A highlight of the season will be the British Museum touring exhibition Egyptian hieroglyphs: unlock the mystery, charting the beauty and language of Egyptian hieroglyphs. Displaying a range of objects from ancient Egypt, the exhibition will provide an insight into the importance of hieroglyphs for ancient Egyptians and how they played a pivotal role in their lives and beyond.
A depiction of Nestjerenma
Other objects in the exhibition include an extract from the Book of the Dead, a large limestone lintel revealing the name of Pharoah Ramses III and an ancestor statue that helped to keep the memory of the dead alive in the family house.
The second exhibition, Tutankhamun: 100 Years of Discovery, will unearth the thrilling stories, myths and controversies surrounding the treasures of Tutankhamun.
Hull Museums will be displaying their collection of beautifully crafted replicas of treasures found in Tutankhamun’s tomb, which were handmade by sculptor William Aumonier Junior and his team of skilled artisans for the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley in 1924 and 1925. Visitors will be able to follow in the footsteps of those Wembley visitors from 100 years ago when the momentous discovery caused a sensation and ‘Tutmania’ swept the world.
A fragment of the stela of Horiraa
The two exhibitions will be on display alongside each other at the Ferens from Friday, March 17, to Sunday, June 18. The exhibitions will be supported by a dedicated programme for schools and public events.
For visitors wishing to discover more, the season will feature bookable talks by British Egyptologist Joann Fletcher, and drop-in talks by Hull Museums curatorial team.
Families will be able to explore the beauty of ancient Egypt through bookable artist workshops and a series of family-friendly drop-in activities for all ages and abilities.
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Primary schools from Hull and region will also be invited to explore the two exhibitions to discover the treasures of Tutankhamun’s Tomb, and unlock the secrets of Ancient Egyptian life through bookable workshops. Further details on the supporting programme are to be announced.
Councillor Alison Collinson, chair of Hull Culture and Leisure Ltd, said: “Ancient Egypt has fascinated people for generations. It’s exciting that the Ferens, with the help and generosity of the British Museum, is able to offer these free exhibitions, which will showcase this sensational chapter of history for our local residents and schoolchildren to enjoy.”
Hartwig Fischer, director of the British Museum, said: “The British Museum touring exhibition Egyptian hieroglyphs: unlock the mystery marks 200 years since the remarkable breakthrough to decipher a long-lost language. For the first time in millennia the ancient Egyptians could speak directly to us. By breaking the code, our understanding of this incredible civilisation has given us an unprecedented window onto the people of the past and their way of life.”