This month marks the 200th anniversary of the National Museum of Scotland (then the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland*) acquiring its very first ancient Egyptian artefact.** So it is fitting that they are opening the new Ancient Egyptian Gallery ...
... and it is fabulous! Every cabinet and display has something riveting. From Nubian horses -
to a long-kilted wealthy man -
to a tiny bewigged woman -
But perhaps, as many of us are writers, I should share the headless scribe with the lovely ripply belly, with these words on the information board:
"In an ancient Egyptian poem, a father advises his son to become a scribe to avoid hard physical labour, declaring, 'I will make you love writing more than your mother!'"
Says it all.
... and it is fabulous! Every cabinet and display has something riveting. From Nubian horses -
c1550-1295 BCE
c1390-1186
to a long-kilted wealthy man -
c1855-1650 BCE
to a tiny bewigged woman -
c1550-1295 BCE
But perhaps, as many of us are writers, I should share the headless scribe with the lovely ripply belly, with these words on the information board:
"In an ancient Egyptian poem, a father advises his son to become a scribe to avoid hard physical labour, declaring, 'I will make you love writing more than your mother!'"
c1479-1425 BCE
Says it all.
The next time you are in Edinburgh, give it a visit if you possibly can. If that isn't likely to be anytime soon, the links below offer a taste of what's on offer, and also some more in-depth information about individual objects.
Explore Our Collections: Ancient Egyptian Collection
Things to See and Do: New Ancient Egyptian, East Asia and Ceramics Galleries
* Founded 1780.
** The Egyptian collection now contains around 6,000 objects.
Things to See and Do: New Ancient Egyptian, East Asia and Ceramics Galleries
* Founded 1780.
** The Egyptian collection now contains around 6,000 objects.