New exhibition reveals riches of ancient Egypt

Artefacts and instruments tell of Scotland’s contribution to Egyptology

Ancient Egyptian artefacts more than 5,000 years old are to go on show at Perth Museum and Art Gallery in a new exhibition discovering Scotland’s ties to the era.

On display will be finds from one of the earliest temple sites in Egypt at Hierakonpolis, including a bowl decorated with very early hieroglyphs and a faience baboon, both dating back to around 3000 BC.

Discovering Ancient Egypt will examine Scotland’s contribution to Egyptology through the lives of three pioneers whose work in the field helped to improve understanding of ancient Egyptian culture.

Wick-born Alexander Henry Rhind (1833-1863) was the first archaeologist to work in Egypt and a pioneer of systematic excavation and recording.

In the exhibition will be objects from a tomb he excavated including a Book of the Dead papyrus and inscribed wooden labels which were discovered with the mummified remains of 10 princesses who shared the same royal tomb.

Charles Piazzi Smyth (1819-1900) served as Astronomer Royal for Scotland and carried out the first largely accurate survey of the Great Pyramid and the first ever photography of its interior with his wife Jessie.

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to see some of his instruments including a measuring rod he used to carry out this pioneering work.

Annie Pirie Quibell (1862-1927) was an Aberdonian who was one of the first women to study Egyptology and went on to work on significant excavations as an artist and archaeologist.

The exhibition will also help a number of outreach and learning programmes in the area.

Discovering Ancient Egypt is on display at Perth Museum and Art Gallery from tomorrow until Sunday May 3.

Picture: Steve Macdougall. Dr Dan Potter, assistant curator at the National Museum of Scotland, with a piece from the display – a wooden stela of an unknown woman.