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 ten 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.
Gillian Findlay, interim head of museums and collections for Culture Perth and Kinross said believes the exhibit, in collaboration with National Museums Scotland, will be of great interest to people of Perthshire, both young and old.
Ms Findlay said: “Not only does the exhibition provide an opportunity to highlight the unique, ancient Egyptian material we care for as part of Perth’s Recognised Collections of National Significance, but it supports a wide-ranging schools and public events programme as well.
“I am particularly grateful to National Museums Scotland for this element, as it enables young people who have experienced homelessness and other barriers to education and employment, and young people with autism, to enjoy the heritage in ways that suit them.”
Discovering Ancient Egypt is on display at Perth Museum and Art Gallery from Saturday January 25 until Sunday May 3.
