November 2005

Unearth the mysteries and myths surrounding the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, follow in the footsteps of Howard Carter and undertake a journalistic journey - from BBC Birmingham to the mythical lands of Egypt - in search of the truth behind the legend of the fabled Egyptian pharaoh.

Throughout November, the Public Space at BBC Birmingham, in partnership with Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the Institute of Egyptology and Antiquity at the University of Birmingham, is trialling a new exhibition experience incorporating genuine artefacts and treasures dating back to ancient Egypt, 3500 years ago.

The exhibition is based on and includes actual sets from the epic new BBC ONE series, Egypt.

Website: Egypt Interactive Exhibition At BBC Birmingham »

January 3, 2006

The Mummy Who Would Be King

It is a tantalizing idea and an outrageous long-shot: a shriveled mummy with crossed arms that has lain neglected on a dusty museum shelf at Niagara Falls could be the remains of a long-lost Egyptian king. While a trail of clues hints at how the looted mummy made its way to North America, archeologists, scientists, and even an orthodontist look to the latest genetic testing and imaging techniques in hopes of ascertaining the body's hidden identity. "The Mummy Who Would Be King" reveals an astounding story filled with historical intrigue and the wonders of forensic science.

Suspicions about the mummy's noble past first arose decades ago. Speaking with avid collectors and top scholars involved in the investigation, NOVA discovers just how complicated it can be to unravel ancient truths. By the late 20th century, the Niagara Falls mummy had journeyed across an ocean. It had been stolen, sold, bought, and neglected. It had languished in obscurity and had been "discovered" in the 1960s only to be declared a fraud. Yet Egyptologist Gayle Gibson tells NOVA that as soon as she laid eyes on the body, she was convinced it was someone special. This documentary is about how one mummy finally convinced the world.

Website: The Mummy Who Would Be King »

Sunday 30th April 2006

David Ladouceur's interest in ancient languages began as a child. Inspired by the Hollywood mummy movies that he watched on late-night television, Ladouceur sought out books about ancient Egypt, teaching himself how to read and write the classic symbols.

"I started memorizing all of the hieroglyphs and writing them out," Ladouceur says. Now a professor of classics at the University of Notre Dame and fluent in six ancient languages, Ladouceur will share his knowledge Sunday during "Egyptian Hieroglyphs," a workshop at Studio Arts in South Bend.

Egyptian Hieroglyphs Workshop

Studio Arts Center
Gallery 805
Studio 815

805/807 Lincoln Way West
South Bend, IN 46616
574/288-0160

Website: Workshop deciphers ancient hieroglyphs »

The radiant beauty that emanates from the faces of many of the bronze figures illuminated by some ineffable certainty is likely to take its source in deeply held creeds with a trend toward mysticism. But when it comes to circumscribing its tenets beyond the names of deities and formal rituals, our helplessness is blatant.

Martha Hill, the Metropolitan Museum curator who edited the book, prefaces her opening chapter, "Art and Influence in Temple Images," with a quote taken from a restoration inscription of Tutankhamun: "As for the gods and goddesses who are in this land, their hearts are joyful; the lords of shrines are rejoicing, the shores are shouting praise, and exultation pervades the [entire] land now that good [plans] have come to pass."

Website: Gifts For The Gods »

From 30th November 2006 Visitors to the Segedunum Roman Fort in Wallsend will come face to face with an ancient Egyptian mummy this week, as a 3-dimensional digital image of her head is put on display at the Museum for the first time.

The mummy, known as Bakt Hor Nekht, has never been seen before; her intricately decorated coffin sealed out of respect and to preserve her remains. However, a CT scan carried out by Newcastle General Hospital this summer has now been used to create an accurate, detailed digital reconstruction of her head.

Segedunum Roman Fort Baths & Museum
Buddle Street
Wallsend
NE28 6HR
Tyne & Wear
England

Website: Mummy Shows Face After 3000 Years At Segedunum »