The exhibition, which takes place in four of the museum’s halls, will envelop you in ancient history. You will find yourself in a place and time where not only human bodies, but also animals, plants and even food were mummified.
“The exhibition explains that there is a lot to admire about ancient Egypt and Nubia. It entirely captures the nature of the time and especially the way it was perceived by humans living on the banks of the Nile,” Michal Lukeš, the general director of the National Museum, said.
Creation of the world and deity
Wander along the banks of the Nile in the first part of the exhibition, which is based on the Pharaoh Akhenaten’s hymn to the Aten, the sun-disk deity. Here, you will see how people perceived the creation of the world, the deities and the Nile’s creative power.
The next section tells the stories of ordinary people living in nature, followed by the playful part of the exposition. This will be especially appreciated by children who can try the Egyptian game Senet. You might find it familiar, as it is similar to the board game Ludo.
Animal mummy
The next part of the exhibition is the most impressive. It introduces us to the world of plants and animals in ancient Egypt and Nubia. You will see mummified animal bodies and the containers they were preserved in. Like human mummies, animal mummies were also stored in protective boxes. They were made of different materials, in various shapes and sizes. Some imitated sarcophagi and coffins for humans, while others took the shape of the animals they were intended for. Others simply had the shape of clay pots.
In another case, you will recognise the body of a kestrel, wrapped in brown bandages which the head, left wing and feet protrude from. You can also admire mummies of a fish, a dog, a stork, a cat with an elongated body, a baby crocodile and the embalmed head and neck of an adult crocodile.
Netherworld
You will end your journey through the Nile Valley with a trip to the netherworld. The Egyptians perceived it as a boat journey on the Nile. They depicted the netherworld with many canals, fields, hills, and gates.
The exhibition will take place until the 29th of February 2020. Further information about the exhibition can be found on: https://www.nm.cz/en