When Egypt: In the Time of Pharaohs arrives at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum, it will bring together hundreds of artefacts and artworks, along with interactive experiences to highlight life in one of the most fascinating and important periods of human history.

The travelling exhibition will open in June, featuring more than 350 pieces – some more than 4500 years old. It will be the largest-ever collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts to tour in New Zealand.

The collection includes incredible treasures – such as the mummified remains of Ta-Khar, a wealthy Egyptian woman who lived in Thebes during the 25th dynasty, which was between 165 and 656 BC. There’s also a 2000-year-old papyrus from The Book of the Dead showing a human heart weighed against justice by the god Osiris – said to be the lord of death and rebirth.

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You’ll be able to admire the intricate jewellery and accessories worn by everyday ancient Egyptians, see many carved statues of animals, deities and pharaohs, and more.

Overall, the exhibition will showcase ancient Egyptian culture, aiming to give an insight into the economic, political, religious and cultural life of both the royalty and their subjects – as well as the day-to-day experience of the population as a whole.

You’ll learn about the role of religion in everyday life, and how pharaohs were seen as living gods on Earth. Rituals and practices around death (such as mummification) were also a big part of ancient Egyptian life, and these are also highlighted in the exhibition.

“Ancient Egypt was a foundational civilisation that inspired many societies around the world and continues to do so. Ancient Egyptians created symbols of power that we still recognise today and had sophisticated spiritual beliefs,” says Auckland Museum chief executive Dr David Gaimster. “They demonstrated humanity’s ingenuity in architecture, engineering and construction, and used the river Nile landscape to support a rich and complex culture.”

It's the first time a travelling exhibition of Egyptian artefacts this size has come to New Zealand, says Gaimster. “This is a once-in-a-generation experience.”

Egypt: In the Time of Pharaohs will be showing from June 15 to November 12, 2023 at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum.

aucklandmuseum.com