The Mummy returns!

 

Over 100 years ago, the then curator of Powysland Museum, T. Simpson-Jones, wrote to the Committee of Patrons of the Beni Hasan Excavations at Burlington House to acknowledge the receipt of a number of items including Egyptian Pottery from the XI-XII Dynasty.

 

Since their initial appearance, the items have scarcely seen the light of day but they have now been unpacked and displayed in all their glory.

 

The pottery is interesting both in an Egyptian historical context and in the context of late Victorian/early Edwardian archaeology. The items were excavated by Professor John Garstang at the beginning of the 20th century and contact was made with the Garstang Museum of Archaeology based in the School of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology at the University of Liverpool.

 

Interestingly the Garstang Museum was not aware that Powysland Museum had been one of the recipients of items from the Beni Hasan excavations and the museum was more than happy to help Powysland Museum stage an exhibition on the Beni Hasan excavations utilising not only Powysland Museum’s pottery, but adding to these items with artefacts from the Garstang Museum’s own collection.

 

The Beni Hasan site was a burial place for officials and upper classes of this part of Egypt and the finds from the excavations consist of the contents from the funeral chambers and reflect not only the burial culture of Egypt at the time, but also give an idea of everyday life. The excavations by Prof. Garstang took place from 1902 to 1904 and during this period he took a large number of photographs which are also on display.

 

The exhibition runs until August 30.

 

Opening hours are: Weekdays except Wednesday: 11am-1pm & 2-5pm; Weekends: 10am-1pm & 2-5pm. For more information: 01938 554656 or powysland@powys.gov.uk