Secrets of ancient Egypt revealed at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery

Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery opens the doors on its brand new blockbuster exhibition this weekend (Saturday 24 January 2015).

Sponsored by Lanyon Bowdler, ‘Secret Egypt- Unravelling Truth from Myth’ is a touring exhibition organised by the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. It runs from 24 January to 26April and brings together over 150 objects drawn from Birmingham Museums’ significant ancient Egyptian collection.

Based on the evidence of objects spanning 4000 years, this exhibition will allow visitors to investigate the truth behind some of the popular myths about ancient Egypt.

The country and its civilisation have always fascinated people and have been the inspiration behind many books, films and TV shows. Such is its resonance in society that some of the most popular and commonly held beliefs on the subject are mere fabrications by the film industry used to sensationalise the story and excite the audience. Secret Egypt will show that a truer picture of the past can still be remarkable.

Secret Egypt poses a series of questions and provides a wealth of archaeological evidence that will encourage the visitor to reassess what they think they know about ancient Egypt.

There are six sections in the exhibition.

‘What is real? What is fake?’ explores the world of fakes and copies to show the importance of genuine artefacts in understanding the past.

‘Did aliens build the pyramids?’ lets visitors discover the archaeological evidence which put pay to the more fantastic explanations for ancient Egyptian civilisation. It will explain the factors that led to the sophistication of ancient Egyptian society and the building of the magnificent pyramids.

‘How well do we know the ancient Egyptians?’ looks at the well-known and most celebrated characters, such as Tutankhamen and Ramesses the Great, and compares what we think we know, to what the archaeology can tell us about the real lives of these stars of ancient Egypt.

‘Beware the mummy’s curse!’ will expose the sensationalism behind the gory and gruesome idea that bandaged mummies would rise from the dead to chase and terrify the living. It will present the true purpose of mummification and show the respect given to the body through techniques that helped to preserve and protect it.

‘Were the Egyptians obsessed with death’ discovers the real reasons behind the elaborate tombs and coffins, which were believed to help achieve eternal life in the next world.

The final section, ‘Whose Egypt?’, investigates how ancient Egypt ended and the legacy it has left in our society some 2000 years later.

Tina Woodward, Shropshire Council’s deputy Cabinet member for visitor economy, said:

“The realm of ancient Egypt is something that continues to capture our imaginations, but often what we think we know has been distorted by the films, books and TV programmes that make it their inspiration. The exhibition is a chance to discover for yourself what is fact and what is fantasy. It’s a highly interactive show, rich in graphic images, films and hands-on learning activities.”

‘Secret Egypt – Unravelling Truth from Myth’ is a touring exhibition from the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, loaned by Birmingham Museums Trust on Behalf of the Birmingham City Council and supported by funding by Arts Council England.

It was made possible by the regional touring exhibitions and loans programme.

For more information visit www.shrewsburymuseum.org.uk.